ARC Ref 250Price: $25,990 per pair.

Website: www.audioresearch.com

Peter said: Ultimately, and as good as I know the sound of my reference amplifiers to be, I must conclude that the sound of Audio Research’s Reference 250s is finer. If I had air-conditioning, and if my primary reference system were dedicated solely to me and my music, I would have been more than tempted to buy them.

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Read the Ultra Audio review.

The gist: Peter was smitten.