Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveK
I spoke with my dealer today and there is a chance I can get a great "bundle" deal if I order 400e with Phantom. I have a serious question, based on assumption that 202 = Phantom.
You say 202 is much better than LS27. But, isn't it possible that ARC REF5 SE (or ref10) may provide as much incremental improvement over LS27? They are on different tier within ARC lineup. Maybe there won't be as much improvement going from REF5 SE to Phantom. ARC Ref 10 may even be better than 202 
I don't mean to make this Krell vs ARC. I am trying to ascertain the value of "upgrading" from REF5SE to Phantom.
Maybe you are referring more to Krell-Krell synergy being superior to ARC-Krell.
I had Phantom III with 302e, and I definitely felt REF5 with 302e was superior.
I cannot demo Phantom. I have to take a leap of faith and just order it. So, it is a big (but, very delicious) dilemma... |
SteveK,
I heard Krell 202 in the very same setup with ARC Ref 5SE and I liked the Ref5SE much better.
Said by an experienced listener with 202 and Phantom that I most probably should like also the Ref5E better than the Phantom, because of the similar sound-character of Phantom with 202.
Thought however that the setup was not ideal for both 202 and Ref 5SE, with poweramp Dartzeel NHB 108, Lumen White speaker, source Copland.
Heard Phantom in another setup.
202 had a somewhat tighter and deeper bass, Ref5SE a more fuller bass.
The high frequencies were more prominent reproduced by 202, which I found sometimes too much.
Midrange was more full-bodied and present with ARC.
Found the total image set by Ref5SE more pleasing with a more coherent and palpable sound, where 202 seems to amplify every single note apart from the other notes, but they failed somewhat to play together. By the Ref5SE I had simply more the feeling of rightness.
Both are very detailed, but the presentation is quite different.
Phantom/202 as well as Ref5SE both are outstanding and when finding the right synergy of the whole setup with these you can't go wrong with either.
Good luck!