Audio Research, AYON and Primaluna tube amplifiers.

OP,

Sonus Faber, Audio Research, and Transparent interconnects are a known synergistic combination. I got there by stumbling upward over fifty years of pursuing the high end. My most consistent preamp was Audio Research.  The recommendation of a Ref 80 amp is good… I currently have REF 160m mono blocks and a Reference 160m… driving my Sonus Faber Amati Traditional in triode mode… so 70 wpc. I occasionally switch out of the triode mode to double the wattage… while the difference in sound is not obvious, I switch back in a couple minutes. 
 

But order of business is their preamps. The ARC preamps are world class, highly detailed, but warm and organic… not tubie, but with great midrange bloom. The amazing thing is the musicality with preservation of details and soundstage. I really recommend the Reference series 5 and higher. I owned a Ref 5SE for many years. I would look on line for used ARC preamps.

www.arcdb.ws

Is a virtually complete database/catalog of all the Audio Research products.

It is not a product of the company, but an ARC fan who obviously is crazy about products. 

Regards,

barts 

I've been using a Prima Luna Dialogue Premium HP for three years. The sound is different to me than what I had been used to in traditional vintage tubes. There is no high end roll off, no emphasized mid bass bloom, rather a consistent presentation through the whole spectrum. I've read that this is the modern tube sound that all manufacturers are going for but my experience is only 1970s Dyneco and Jolida before Prima Luna. After a lengthy burn in period I love it. I was using g Tekton Lore speakers but recently switched back to my old Thiel 1.5s. Very happy with the switch as the midrange is much better. But going to add a Rel sub soon. So from a synergy standpoint I can recommend Prima Luna Dialogue Premium HP at 75 watts into Thiel 1.5, larger Thiel might require more power. Speaker cables are Nordost Red Dawn. Cables are as relevant as what they connect. 

Hey @ghdprentice could you tell me a little bit more about the detail differences from ARC to Primaluna? I run Primaluna separates and I've been eyeing ARC preamps and assumed that my Dialogue Premium is on par with the ARC LS28 and improvements would have to be at the REF level? Any insights or life experience going from PL to Arc? So many people try to sell them as "close" but I don't buy it. 

While NO company has 100% great products, yet over the years (1970-2022) they have been in business, ARC has had more "wins" than most companies have had ever.

Interesting to see that their first break-through pre-amp from mid-1970’s (SP-3A1) STILL commands huge prices. I sold it when it went from $595 to $695 to $795 and could never keep them in stock. Today, on ebay, etc., they go for over $3000 and they are over 45 years old!!

Another flagship back then, the two-chassis SP-10, is still considered one of the best ever! Their new stuff is also wonderful if you can afford it.

BUT, you have to listen IN YOUR ROOM to whatever you pick and make sure it fits YOUR system. Personally, I would buy ARC EVERY TIME, but you need to know a couple of things:

1. They had some duds with their solid state stuff

2. There are some items they can no longer service. You should call them and see before you make a final decision. Their service is legendary, if expensive, but as in most things in life, you tend to get what you pay for.

Best of luck to you, and should you go with ARC electronics, have your dealer hook up a pair of Magneplaner speakers in your room and see how that combo grabs you.

Cheers!