Audio Research?
 

Ok, scratch the Accuphase idea for my 2 channel room... Too expensive and I'd rather spend money on a product that is manufactured on our soil and can be purchased, warrantied and serviced locally.

Which brings me to ARC. The tube CD8 CDP for CD playback, DAC8 for digital/ripped/streaming source, of course the Reference 2 phono stage for vinyl. These are a no brainer. :thumbsup: Which leaves me with the choice of a preamp, Reference 5 or Anniversary? Is the Aniversary really that much better? Is it worth the 2x price premium over the Ref 5? :scratch2:

Amps, Reference 110 or 210? Both had been in production for about 5 years now, probably will be replaced/updated soon...

And another choice, Silver or Black??? :scratch2:

http://www.audioresearch.com/images/m/cd8_silver.jpg
http://www.audioresearch.com/images/m/dac8.jpg
http://www.audioresearch.com/images/m/ref5.jpg
http://www.audioresearch.com/images/anniversary_1.jpg
http://www.audioresearch.com/images/m/ref2.jpg
http://www.audioresearch.com/images/m/110.jpg
http://www.audioresearch.com/images/m/ref210.jpg

Serge
This may interest you.

Big Difference: Audio Research Corporation Anniversary Edition Reference Preamplifier | AVguide

Jim

I too have ARC in my crosshairs. I should hear back from them shortly. :yes:

Perhaps an ARC forum... :scratch2:

So the Reference 40 has an even more holographic presentation, bloom, three dimensional solidity and tonal color density, transient speed and transparency. That's all great, I had to go back and forth between the Ayre KX-R and the Lamm LL2D to achieve all those parameters, except that you can't listen to both at the same time..:D

If the Ref 40 really encompasses all those parameters at once, I'm game... I wonder what the rest of the components were in his system during the audition? :scratch2:

:yes:

Though I've never owned any ARC gear, I have auditioned it and I've always had the highest respect for them.

Pete

I have but nothing recent. I've always enjoyed my time with ARC components and had no issues with either performance or reliability per say.

Read on in the thread, I think he might touch on it.

Further on he states.

With the Ref 610Ts, the Ref 40, and the Ref Phono 2, I'm approaching +100 tubes! Perfect for a warm summer day.

Jon