My girlfriend and I both have had AudioRefinement integrated amps (as well as CDPs and tuners) for many years and have had no issues. (Caveat: when she got her tuner, it had some problems, but DeJa Vu audio - in the DC suburbs - was able to fix it easily. Since then, it has worked perfectly.) IMHO, AR equipment was a steal at the price and sounded great.
Mesch, for what your friend will probably ask, I would buy his integrated without thinking twice.
Jim, thanks for the information - both about repairs and about "replacements" for the AR series.
