AudioAficionado.org - Ref 250/RefPhono2SE/Linn LP12 SE/Radikal...Magic

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- - Ref 250/RefPhono2SE/Linn LP12 SE/Radikal...Magic (https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=11165)

Quote:

Originally Posted by enatai252 (Post 236770)

SME 20/3 showed up at dealer today. Is being set up for me and I will demo with 2 cartridges that I have

A Lyra Titan i which was on the 20/2 or a Benz Ebony LP

Will take a listen to both and should have the table home by Friday..

Only 20 hours on the Ref Phono SE...but finding it hard to stop listening.

That's easy - don't stop! :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by tima (Post 236856)

It has a ways to go. It may be crazy, but I heard faint but real improvement even after 400 hrs - that's on the original non-SE version, but no reason to think the SE will take any less and it could take more. But hey - the upside is that its all upside - from where it is now it will keep getting better! :thumbsup:

I agree !

BTW, who are the REF PHONO 2 owners who will take the upgrade route towards the SE ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by enatai252 (Post 236770)

Congrats on the new SME...adding to the stable. :D Enjoy!

I believe I received the 3rd one made...The Ref 5 SE on order should be shipping in 2 weeks. The Ref Phono is incredible...

I really think ARC has...with their latest product line-up...hit it out of the park

Enatai, I keenly await your comparison between the Benz ebony lp and the Lyra Titan. I replaced a Lyra Skala for a Benz LpS but have been wondering how it compares to the top of the line Titan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dafos (Post 237514)

Enatai, I keenly await your comparison between the Benz ebony lp and the Lyra Titan. I replaced a Lyra Skala for a Benz LpS but have been wondering how it compares to the top of the line Titan.

I am picking up the SME 20/3 today. I will have the Lyra Titan i on the arm. To clarify, the Benz Ebony LP is not the LP-S version. Its an 8 year old model that I bought when I originally bought the SME 20/2. I purchased the Lyra Titan 2 years ago and it has been on the 20/2 ever since. As discussed, I listened to both on the new 20/3. The Benz LP excels in the midrange and has a warmth and bloom that is majical. Not colored...but there is less extension in the lows and highs. I could happily live with this cartridge and plan to keep as its so easy to swap. The Lyra Titan i is by comparison...more extended at the extremes and more dynamic. It seems to excel in transparency and extension. It is musical(not sounding etched or clinical) and provides a much clearer view of the performance and pinpoint imaging. Like I said...I will keep both...but to start the Lyra gets the call. I do plan on comparing the the SME with the new LP 12SE setup I also just purchased. The Linn currently sits on a HRS M3X base that is set up for its weight...HRS is sending me an extra set of feet for the base...and the torque tool...so that I can change the M3X to accomodate the heavier SME easily.

Here are some pictures of my 2 new turntables. You can see the two side by side...by I have not compared them yet....going to let both break-in. I took some pictures to show difference in the 20/3 platter over the 20/2 (tinge of sadness as I packed the 20/2 up). You can also see where the new Ref 250s landed...and a picture of the Ref Phono 2 SE (the shiny buttons) and Radikal PS for the Linn

see link below

http://gallery.me.com/npdomino#gallery

That link is a no go -- asks for an apple login/password

Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by vintage_tube (Post 238347)

That link is a no go -- asks for an apple login/password

Bob

This link should work

MobileMe Gallery

That link did the trick. Very nice & well done.:thumbsup: Great gear.

Bob