AudioAficionado.org - Audio Research Pre with SS Amp

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- - Audio Research Pre with SS Amp (https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=26478)

Pass X350 with my ARC REF 5SE and PH8 is a great combo. I love tubes, but not so much in amplifiers. Because of: cost, lower power, Biasing, finickiness.

ARC PH 10 and Classe ca- m600's

I'm using ARC Ref10 with Krell EVO600e. An excellent match to my TAD and in my room.

/byZan

I am using Ref10 with Goldmund Telos 250 driving a pair of Alexis, one of the best combination I had.

Reference 5SE with Ayre VX-5 SS amp works great for me.

I am using an LS-27 pre with a pair of Bryston 7BSST2 and am very pleased with the results.

Five SE with Ayre VXR

Driving Vandersteen 5a.....lovely...plenty of power for my room and tastes...

ARC Ref3 limited edition with boulder 850 monoblocks here. Love the sound.

Hi,
I am here to assure you that ARC tube preamp will work fine with wide range of SS amplifiers even one with input impedance so low that it is on the lower limit recommended by ARC.
With my Ref40 pre amp. here are amp that worked very well, no obvious mismatched issue.
it depends more on your sonic preference, your choices of cables, speakers, accessories.

1. Moon W7M, fantastic power, open and airy , punchy and rock-solid bass.
2. Pass X350.5, XA160.5, very musical as well.
3. Vitus class A
4. Constellation Centaur Mono. < very good low level details. I think of my first experience to Nordost cables with this amp.
5. Mcintosh MC402 < relaxing but quite narrow dynamic contrast. think Night Mode engaged.
6. Gryphon Memphisto , highly musical with power to spare despite power rating.
None of them had/have electrical matching/gain/ issues.
So choose based on what you like. Currently I use Gryphon Memphisto and I have everything that I want and should not replace it for years to come.

Toga

I haven't had an ARC amp in years but mated my CJ tube preamps with various SS amps including Class D amps with great success. Just make sure the SS amp you chose has an input impedance of 50K ohm or higher. Tube preamps usually have fairly high output impedances and need a high input impedance on the power amp to be able to drive it well.