I have to choose one..

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by TOGA

Thanks.
Ref 75 play loud with my Magico Q3 during demo. and meter never passed half way of full scale. that 's why I am confident in this 75watt. It will be used as secondary amp when I have mood for tube. If later on 150SE is out, upgrade is always possible.
Due to hard work schedule coming in November, not sure I will have time to even open the box.
Toga

Great! Sounds like a plan. Send them to me and I'll work them in for you during November!!

[jdebonth]

Congrats Toga! So you chose the ARC amp over the accuphase, moon and burmester amps you had in your home on demo? What do you like about the ARC sound over the other amps?

[TOGA]

@jdebonth
It will be long to answer your question clearly.
1. I like Burmester's incredible power and sonic as well when 077+911MK3.
But clearly 911MK3 is incompatible with ARC preamp electrically, while 077 sound is not as silky
as what I heard from ARC. Also after the excitement declined, I felt tired from the
explosive power out of Burmester as Magico Q3 also have the same quality of highly
revealing.
2. Accuphase C3800+A200 is really good sounding as well. C3800 is not as silky as ARC.
and when ARC+A200, deep bass is somehow lacking. May be due to low input impedance of A200 make deep bass of ARC rolled off a bit.
3. What surprised me is that ARC Reference Series power amp, when use with 8-ohm tap
make very powerful sound as well, but never make me tired. with 4-ohm tap, sound even more lovely, but lack excitement.
4. What power amp is better matched to ARC pre amp than ARC's amp ? Nothing.
5. I always feel ARC offer very very good performance vs cost ratio. It make equally good sound to Accuphase A200 for much much less $$$$.
6. There is no out-of-phase problem running all ARC. With Burmester and Accuphase, there is good chance of confusing on phase from XLR connections, especially when
external surround processor connected into Accuphase or Burmester pre amp.
7. I paid for Ref 75 about 1/5 of what I will have to pay for Accuphase A200 for what practically the same musical sound. This is really great.
8. I personally prefer ARC Ref40 preamp to both Bur 077 and Acc C3800, this lead to
having to stand firm using Ref 40 as pre amp and find amp to match with it.
9. in the process of paying much less than expected. I can keep both Moon W7M and Wilson Sophia3, and there is really nothing providing
the thrill of Moon W7M ( except Bur 911M3 when pair with 077).
Toga

[jdebonth]

Toga, thanks for the explanation.

[TOGA]

So we all see that selecting audio components is highly personal. we have different priorities. My priority this time is to find sound that is pleasing tonally to my ear/brain,
easy and friendly to listen to, that's all. And tube seem to be the right answer this time.

[TOGA]

Good news is that Transparent Audio confirmed will have my speaker cables recalibrated for new amp plus spade modification for free of charge. But I have to send them across the world to factory. Hope the result justify the shipping expense.

Congrats Toga on your new amp. Let us know how it settles in once it's in your system

[gardener]

Toga
what do you listen to ?
just got a pair of ref 250 I feel the power essential

David

[Masterlu]

gardener... Welcome!

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

gardener... Welcome!

David,

Welcome!