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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
randyhat
158 posts
 

I attended the Southwest Audiofest in Dallas this weekend and visited the Audio Research room.  They are releasing some new products in a couple of months.  I don't recall all of them but there will be two solid state amps, a couple of tube amps and I think a new integrated amp.  I think all of these will be at the "lower" end of their price range of products.  I still own a the LS-15 line stage which is nearly 30 years old.  I had it modified/upgraded about 10 years ago and it is still sounding sweet.  I am curious about one of their newer SS amps.  I also owned their 100.2 power amp a number of years ago but regrettably sold it.  I've been impressed with the quality of their products and customer service.

traudio OP
132 posts
 

You should keep the H390 and add a Tube Preamp and/or even a Tube DAC like Primaluna. You’re not going to get better for less than $10K than the Hegel. 

I have a tube DAC, Lampizator Amber 3. 

Seems that adding a preamp to an integrated would be knda silly.
 

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,285 posts
 

I don't think 100 watts of tube or SS power is going to cut it with 3.7s. I'd be looking for at least a high current 200 wpc amp.

kisawyer2's avatar
kisawyer2
1 posts
 

I bought my ARC gear in the 70s after William Z. Johnson brought the SP-1 preamp and Dual 75 to Milwaukee for an audition. Those days are long gone!  We treated Bill to a prime rib dinner to thank him, and bought the units through Opus-2 stereo store in Memphis, Tennessee. At the time, I had KLH Nine speakers and later Infinity Servo Static -1s (with an ARC Dual 51 bi-amped driving the tweeters). Still have those amps and preamp to this day, along with a double pair of KLH Nines. Great sound all these years later!  ARC amps from that era are still available and serviceable by ARC. 

kerrybh
237 posts
 

I just got back from the southwest audiofest-great show by the way- and the ARC Folks did a nice program on the history and future of the company. It was very interesting. ARC featured some brand new solid state products in its room that maybe haven’t even hit the market yet. Affordable pricing on these new products

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