I have to choose one..

[TOGA]

Very good review of LS27+Ref 75 from UK Hi-Fi+ magazine issue 93.

I invested $6 to read a review of amp that was in my own system 2 days ago.

[GaryProtein]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Toga.......Stop teasing yourself. Go for the Ref250 amplifiers . . . .

I knew it was going to come to that. I just didn't want to be the first person spending his money!

DO IT!

[TMcD]

Agreed with the 250s. That is such a nice room, it deserves them!!!

[TOGA]

Oh No, the review I just spent $6 to purchase yesterday is available here.
A really nice review of 75.

Absolute Sounds International Distributors & Consultants/Press Room

Originally Posted by TOGA

@David, Actually I am very close to ModWright dealers, I bought almost everything
from this dealer. But Frankly, I don't have the passion for the brand yet. I have heard
KWA150 (not SE) driving Thiel CS3.7 before. And I like Moon or Vitus more. I borrowed LS36.5 once to use with Moon W7M, and I liked Moon P8Rs more, that was many years ago. Now I am in ARC camp
@ Mike, I totally agree with you. I am flexible on budget. If I go for R250, I will sell Sophia3 and Moon W7M. If I buy R75 or R150, I will not sell anything. So eventually I pay the same.
I will give Ref 75 a shot, I will make an offer to my dealer tomorrow, if they can accept $$$ that I offer I will go for it. In future if new 150SE is released, I will accept
some loss to trade R75 for it. I can accept cost of R250, but can't quite accept cost of tubes replacement.
Toga

Toga, yes the Simaudio Moon W7M & P8R pre are a big step up from the Modwright gear (lovely though they sound), likewise Vitus' Signature Series are a big step up from the Simaudio gear. If your heart is set on ARC, I agree with other members who have suggested the Ref 150 as it has a good balance of power & will allow you to keep your Sophia's & Sim amp. Additionally if an 'SE' upgrade is released, ARC should offer an upgrade path to current owners.

[turntable]

Originally Posted by Bodhisattva

Buy a Modwright KWA-150SE. Sounds like tubes & you don't have to worry about replacing any tubes, plus it's good value. Also will have better control & low level detail than certainly the Ref 150.

ModWright Instruments | KWA 150 'Signature Edition'

Have you compared the ref 150 and the Modwright?

Originally Posted by turntable

Have you compared the ref 150 and the Modwright?

No I haven't, however I have heard Audio Research tube amps & in particular the KWA-150 enough times to offer a comment. If you go back through the OP's comments, I provided this suggestion based on the OP's concern about maintaining tubes, the fact that the KWA-150SE matches the OP's power requirements, sounds tube-like & in my opinion represents good high end value.

[TOGA]

I may disappoint some of you, but yes after serious considering. Tomorrow I am going to pick up my Reference 75. The spare $$$ will be use to buy speaker cables to use with it ( don't know what yet) and also to buy amp stand ( HRS S1)
Thanks for all cheering. This is my first tube power amplifier.
Toga

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by TOGA

I may disappoint some of you, but yes after serious considering. Tomorrow I am going to pick up my Reference 75. The spare $$$ will be use to buy speaker cables to use with it ( don't know what yet) and also to buy amp stand ( HRS S1)
Thanks for all cheering. This is my first tube power amplifier.
Toga

Congrats on your purchase. I will be very interested to hear about your findings. Apparently the 75 is absolutely incredible sounding. I've heard the 150 and 250 - but not the 75. As for whether its enough power, will depend on your listening levels, room size, etc. It should be ok, but you are definitely on the outer limits. My speakers are 93db efficient and 30 watts is plenty loud.

[TOGA]

Thanks.
Ref 75 played loud with my Magico Q3 during demo. and needle never passed half way of full scale. that 's why I am confident in this 75watt. It will be used as secondary amp when I have mood for tube. If later on 150SE is out, upgrade is always possible.
I listened to all of them in my room before, so I have some base line to make decision. All of them have similar sound. And Ref 75 never let me wanting more in term of
power and punch. What bugging me is that, how well Ref 75 will drive my future speakers which can be something like Alexia or Maxx replacement. But I think that is
something far in the future, I better save $$$ right now rather than worry for something that is far from happening yet.
Due to hard work schedule coming in November, not sure I will have time to even open the box. But I doubt I can just looking at the white box knowing there is
my new lovely amp inside.
Toga