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Need to learn about Audio Research

Still exploring amps and preamps to go with my Magnepan 3.7i. 
I've always heard about Audio Research being a great match, but I'm not familiar with the brand at all.
I'll need to shop the used market since the new gear is way out of my price range. 

I am looking for a high power (100wpc +) amp and a preamp that has remote control. I'd like the preamp to be tube, and the amp could be either solid state or tube.
I don't know at what point in the model lineup remote control was added, but it appears most of the older gear did not have a remote. 

Any AR experts here?

traudio
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,122 posts
 

You didn't mention your budget.

erik_squires
16,557 posts
 

My advice with ARC is to get advice about specific components.  IMHO the sound has change a great deal over the years, and therefore what matches well with a specific speaker may be very much model/year dependent.

 

bojack
669 posts
 

Traudio,

ARC is indeed one of the big names in hi-end gear. If you have a trusted tech who has experience in repairing ARC gear, I say go for it. However, if you don't, you will likely be waiting a long time for possible repairs (if needed), and you'll pay through the nose for ARC to do them. I would honestly go in a different direction...maybe Rogue, Raven, or Quicksilver. A great combo, btw, would be the Quicksilver line stage and the 100W Rogue amp. Plenty of muscle, reliable, and won't cost a fortune to repair if ever needed. 

traudio OP
132 posts
 

Thanks middlemass

lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
692 posts
 

The late Roger Modjeski (of Music Reference & Beveridge fame) started out as a tech before either of those companies existed.  He said he always hated working on ARC gear.  It was always way over engineered and difficult to work on.  YMMV, but I think there are probably plenty of great combinations to go with Maggie speakers.  What is your budget for amp & pre?

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