Ref 6SE

[djcxxx]

Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between a question and a pretext for an argument.

[cleeds]

Originally Posted by djcxxx

Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between a question and a pretext for an argument.

That's true, but I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt, especially here on the Friendly Forum for High-End Audio. Those who come here seeking argument eventually reveal themselves.

[Sandor]

Actually I was BOTH giving my opinion and asking for yours. That's the point of such forums, isn't it ?

[cleeds]

Originally Posted by Sandor

Actually I was BOTH giving my opinion and asking for yours. That's the point of such forums, isn't it ?

Yes, I think so. This is a forum for the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and experience. And because it is the Friendly Forum, we should be free to do that without derision. There's enough of that in the world already!

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Sandor

Actually I was BOTH giving my opinion and asking for yours. That's the point of such forums, isn't it ?

It is and I gave you my opinion on having heard both. I have heard both numerous times but in different systems and at different times. How that can possibly help you, I have no idea... unless of course someone has done a direct A/B and will chime in. Both the EAR and ARC are great preamps but they are different flavor and I am sure you have heard that yourself since you preferred one over the other.

But as I said in my other post, if YOU have heard and compared both and clearly liked the 912 for your system, getting further opinions is still not going to help you in the end as you are the one that has to live with it.

If you have an opportunity to listen to the Lamm LL2.1 Deluxe, which I also owned and did compare by bringing it over to my friend against the ARC Ref 5, I preferred the creamy, dreamy, slightly darker and meatier presentation over the leaner, but more resolving, crystalline and ethereal sounding Ref5

Just to clarify, my original post was not meant to be rude or to suggest one should not ask questions. I always say it like it is and I doubt the original meaning of my initial post can be twisted out of context in such a way as to make it look like anything else but what I initially said.

Conflicting opinions or a Confirmation bias, after having made up your mind by directly evaluating a product and liking it, does not exactly serve as help.

Also keeping in mind that all 3 of the preamps are TUBE and with tube rolling coming further differences and flavors... Other than having a cheerful discussion about all three preamps, nothing should change as to which you should go with . Right??

Or I can put it another way. What do you want to hear?

Perhaps others can cater to your question better as obviously my direct, logical and reassuring answer was NOT good enough.

[George Prentice]

I think it is very valuable to ask if others have the same impression. It can be a great way to learn. I remember buying a preamp and feeling like it was really good and asking others opinion. The comments back were that they sounded good but grainy... I was shocked... I then heard it. I didn’t know what grain was, but when I listened for it there it was. So I learned something... that could not be unheard... I traded the preamp and got a better one without grain. I would have figured it out myself sooner or later. But it is useful.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by George Prentice

I think it is very valuable to ask if others have the same impression. It can be a great way to learn. I remember buying a preamp and feeling like it was really good and asking others opinion. The comments back were that they sounded good but grainy... I was shocked... I then heard it. I didn’t know what grain was, but when I listened for it there it was. So I learned something... that could not be unheard... I traded the preamp and got a better one without grain. I would have figured it out myself sooner or later. But it is useful.

The case of the grainy preamp...

Which preamp would have been that grainy George? I am curious.

[cleeds]

Originally Posted by George Prentice

I think it is very valuable to ask if others have the same impression. It can be a great way to learn ...

Absolutely! And one of the benefits of seeking opinions about a specific component here is that someone else's experience might be with different associated components, and that may yield different results. Synergy matters.

Also, it can be helpful to just follow someone else's reasoning, even if it leads him to a different conclusion. I do that with a variety of things outside of audio and it helps me make better decisions. Sometimes, it leads me to the same decision I would have made on my own, but it reinforces my confidence in the choice I'm making.

I am a big believer in asking questions. Along the way, I've learned that there is a polite way to ask any question, no matter how sensitive or personal the question might be.

[George Prentice]

Originally Posted by PHC1

The case of the grainy preamp...

Which preamp would have been that grainy George? I am curious.

I wish I could remember for sure it might have been an old Bryston. Or a sounds like.

[George Prentice]

Originally Posted by cleeds

I am a big believer in asking questions. Along the way, I've learned that there is a polite way to ask any question, no matter how sensitive or personal the question might be.

Absolutely! In my work days as an IT senior executive in the transition from mostly interpersonal communication to a dominantly email driven communication I learned that the possibility of coming off wrong is soooo easy. But that it simply requires some thought to take the judgment and condescension from ones writing. Writing too quickly can lead to ones own egocentrism to drive what you write. I tremendously value courtesy when demonstrated on this forum. I do not bother anymore with many other forums full of self righteous individuals trying to demonstrate their superiority in thought, perception, or perspective. My objective is to learn from others and share my knowledge not engage in pointless... or even pointed challenges.