ARC generally has a less "tubey" sound than most other tube gear, meaning less inherent "warmth" to the sound, instead a more "neutral" balance. I personally find this a good thing, but others don't. The classic example is CJ vs ARC, totally different presentations, and sound quite similar to their faceplates (CJ warm and golden, ARC conforming more to their longstanding moniker "high resolution"). It depends on what kind of sound you are aiming for. If you are used to SS gear, ARC is an easier transition into tube gear than many other brands will be. On an equivalent dollar basis, I personally would take the latest generation of ARC gear (either tube or SS) over Krell any day, so you can tell that IMO it's pretty good.
