Audio Research Introduces Foundation Series
 

Now you know why Audio Research cancelled the lower end products. They were being replaced.

Audio Research Introduces Foundation Series | The Absolute Sound

Hmmm, well, I predict that the claim will be made that the new 28 bests the Ref5se. Then you will really see a lot of 5se's on the market!
I am not saying it won't be true if said. The Ref6 is in a different league from the 5se. There is probably room in between the 5se and 6 for something else.

Still not sold on the look, but am a little interested in the DAC 9. This is a long time coming as the DAC 8 has been on the market far to long. Will have to wait for more information including price.

Suggested retail is $7500

http://www.hifisentralen.no/forumet/...88071476_o.jpg

Going back to the SP3 look?
Regards,
Jim

I hear 'ya ......... but I'm starting to come around. Regardless a very nice trio of components that if they hold true to what preceded them should prove worthy to say the least.

bump for future

Time to sell that "extra" kidney...

Thanks, had not seen the pricing as I could not find it. Seems unusual that they are all the same price. I assume the phono stage is the most profitable for them. I may consider borrowing one from my dealer when it comes in but it will be over $10K with the exchange rate. It will have to be able to very special things to me to consider it at that price.

To me the pre does not look as good as the phone stage and DAC. I guess it is the knobs that I do not care for. Same thing I did not like on the Ref 6. I would agree with you about coming around. My opinion is not as harsh as it once was.

Whoa a tube based DAC!!! How sweet!

I wonder if it's the same DAC they have in the CD9??

I wasn't sold on the Ref 6 look immediately, but now I think the 6 and Phono 3, as well as these, look absolutely great together.

I'm very pleased that they've (re)introduced a line below the Reference. And the name Foundation Series, to me, perfectly sums up what it's about. Great choice.

And then there's the consistency within the series: solid state power supply and tube-based, 6h30p's in the "heart of the analog circuit" as they say.

While this isn't exactly entry level, I do believe ARC will benefit from having an upgrade path with products at different price levels.

This is great news! Looking forward to more Foundation Series components.

I just talked to my ARC dealer and he said everything including the amp will be 7500.

I'm with you. I dislike the looks of the new knobs.

I'm warming up to the new look. The Ref 6 in black looks beautiful, and I think these Foundation series components would, too.

Or maybe something similar to the GSi75 since it does DSD?

Makes sense !! DAC in the GSi75 is supposed to be ARCs best yet!!

I would bet that anyone complaining about the looks of the new Ref6 have not heard it in their system. Once heard, you won't care how it looks! It isn't just a little improvement. It is truly a game changer.

+1

+2

no doubt, but looks are subjective, hell, some us even like red heads ... :yes:

+3 and looks perfect

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89XyjdurFHk[/ame]

Thanks for finding and posting that. I've watched it a few times. Elsewhere, I've noted the power supply looks to be non-tube on the PH9. Any opinions about that? The PH8 includes tubes. Just curious. Still educating myself on ARC.

I stand corrected. The new, bigger photos just uploaded on ARC's website clearly show tubed power supply. I'm even more interested than before.

PH9

Jim.......Thanks for the interesting ARC Foundation Series video. :thumbsup:

Weird that he says " fine sounds or world of mcintosh "... We'll it ain't both, so what does that even mean? Maybe he can't accept it, like many arc owners lol.

Beautiful design!

Vacuum-tube power supplies are costlier to implement, but Audio Research told me their listening tests convinced them that here too tubes are sonically superior to solid state.

Sound Stage has chosen new Foundation series the Best of from High End Munich


SoundStage! Hi-Fi | SoundStageHiFi.com - The Best of High End 2016

Just curious as these have been out for a while now, has anyone had an opportunity first-hand to audition the Foundation Series? My primary and initial interest is really in the phono PH9. But I'd be curious about any first-hand observations or comparisons about any of the pieces from the new Foundation Series, please.

Anyone in the DFW area going to the Audio Research / Sonus Faber Evening at Audio Concepts tonight, October 25th? I plan on stopping by, mostly out of curiosity to here this combination and also hear what they have set up in their McIntosh room. Should be interesting.

Event is from 5pm - 8pm, no RSVP necesssary.

Take Pics!!!

:Yes:

I believe the event is actually on Wednesday October 26th. It has been corrected on the website.

Edward

Thanks for that! I've only been staring at the October newsletter and didn't bother to look on the web. You just saved me some gas money!

If anyone is able to find out when the ARC Foundation Series DAC9 will ship, I would love to know.

THX

I haven't heard it, but I talked to Dave Gordon about it at RMAF, and if I remember right, he says it's very similar sounding to the Ref phono 3. The only difference is a little bit of refinement. He thinks the PH9 is a better performer than the outgoing Ref phono 2. So it must be special.:yes:

Thanks for the reply. :thumbsup:

The PH9 and the Ref Phono 2 really aren't comparable, because the PH9 doesn't have nearly as much as gain as the Ref Phono.