I had a ARC REF5se with the 100.5 and 100.8 but I dont like the ARC ref5se.
a lot of member have the combo ARC REF5se with Pass or others SS amplifier.
before the REF5SE I had the XP20 and was/is a good match. sure tube are more "airy"....but the problem with the ARC is that the frequency dont have any "border"....= sound confused and detailed as with the Pass.
accurate sound all frequecy good "cut rate"
and solid state preamp tube is a widely used solution with good results but
ARC is not so good as everyone says. (IMHO)
ARC with ARC amp is another matter
my hesitation is from a Xp30 (in europa ca. 20k.) vs a tube prempli like Octave HP700 or NAT Symmetrical / Magnetic ....a Nagra Jazz is a good estimate...
|