Audio Research Reference 110 Or Audio Research VS115 Amp's

[topdogya]

Hi guys I need help once again,

After buying a Audio Research LS 27 Pre - Amp I was going to buy a new Icon Audio MB90 Power Amp to use with the LS 27 Pre - Amp, but have been told that the Icon Audio will not mix well with the Audio Research.

So after doing some more home work I have come up with 2 new Power Amps that I think will work and blend well with the Pre Amp, although they are both 2nd hand and are much the same price as the new Icon Audio.

The 1st is a Audio Research Reference 110 that has been well looked after buy its one owner but has over 2800 hours on the tubes, I think will need re-tubing very soon, I can go and try it out but not for over 3 weeks as the guy who is selling is going away on holidays.

The 2nd is a Audio Research VS 115 that has also had only one owner that it is being sold by a dealer that is not near to me, but is mint condition and has had recent new valves, I can go and try this out any time soon.

My question is: Has anyone heard or had any of these Amps, How do they sound against each other? And do you think they will drive my Harbeth 30.1’s that are 88db

Thanks for any help you can give me on these amp’s

Steve.

[walpurgis]

Hi Steve. Just moved this to Blank Canvas section. It doesn't belong in Analogue Arts. Cheers, Geoff.

[Spectral Morn]

In my opinion its best to keep balanced designs with other ones, so the logical partner for an Audio Research pre is an Audio Research power amplifier. Not heard any Audio Research (on the to hear list) so I can offer no more than that, except that in my experience balanced sits better with balanced than with single ended.

[topdogya]

I am still waiting to get to hear these amps

[topdogya]

Well I went and herd the Audio Research VS 115 over the week end.

Wow, I thought it was going to be a bit cuddly valve like sound but I was so wrong, far from it I found the sound very dynamic, Indeed a superb mixture of clarity and dynamic punch with great scale and exquisite refinements on vocals and instrumental tone, The bass was superb deep and very fast and seems to drive the music along, for me it gave excellent sound quality that was modern and not to warm.

I have just got to wait now till the guy comes back from his holidays so I can hear The Ref 110, but yes I did like the Audio Research VS 115 power amp.