Setting up Ref 150

[Banter]

To install the tubes (packed very safely in separate boxes) I had to undo 18 screws. I used a low torque power screw driver. The 3 sided cover – a very light thin aluminum comes off.
I did not have the gloves handy, so I used kitchen paper to handle the tubes. I had to support the bottom of the circuit board to insert couple of tubes.
Some things I was prepared for, having read the review in the Stereophile. But I was not prepared for a digital Volt meter. I did not bother setting the bias – I trust ARC did it right. I also left the fan speed switches as they were – high speed.

I tested the unit with cover off and everything appeared to be working. I used the screw driver provided to put the cover back on.

McIntosh MC452 (450 Watts X 2 Channels) came out and in went the Ref. 150. Left the Mcintosh C50 Preamp in its place, connected all the cables and sat down to listen. The minute Ref. 150 sang it was day and night difference!
I heard instruments that I had never heard before. There was no false space and bloom, but real music. I heard sounds that I thought never existed.

Next day McIntosh C50 preamp came out and my Ref 5Se with about 160 hours went in. To my surprise I did not notice any difference in sound. I let it run like that for a few days and just enjoyed the music coming out of Ref 150.

The first couple of days of burning in was a nightmare. Those 3 tar(?) covered transformers gave out fumes and odor that drove wife crazy! We had to leave all the windows open. After a couple of days, either we got used to the odor or it finally evaporated.

Then the days got hotter, and surprise, surprise; the Ref 5se (by now with the steel cover) ran hotter than the ref 150. Actually the Ref 150 ran quite cool. So in went the Mac C50 and out came the 5se.

Still absolutely no difference in sound, amazing! Nothing comes between the ref 150 and incredible music.

All that talk about having the best source; I found the last link(Ref 150) brought out 20 to 30 percent more out of a regular CD! I am stumped!

My system: Aurender S10 > DAC 8 > PreAmp(Ref 5se and Mac C50)> Ref 150 > Monitor Audio PL200.

[cmalak]

Congrats on the Ref 150. I would definitely check the bias on the tubes especially in the first month of operation to adjust any drift in tube bias. After first month, I would check once a quarter. Congrats again.

[jdandy]

Banter.......Excellent photos.

[NoahG]

Banter,

Congrats on the REF 150.

Are you using the 4 or 8 ohm outputs?

[Kingsrule]

I love the smell of new ARC breaking in!!!

[Bavarian05]

Originally Posted by g997

I love the smell of new ARC breaking in!!!

+1!!!

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

[TMcD]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Congrats on the Ref 150. I would definitely check the bias on the tubes especially in the first month of operation to adjust any drift in tube bias. After first month, I would check once a quarter. Congrats again.

I would agree, I had a tube blow in my Ref 110 when I assumed the bias had been set correctly. The problem is when a tube goes it is expensive to replace and often takes a few resisters with it.

I have found this works well;
Make sure there is no signal coming into the amp. It does not need to be hooked up to anything.
1) Turn on and let sit for around a half hour
2) Check and set bias to ARC specs
3) Let sit for another 10minutes
4) Re-check bias
5) Repeat 2 or 3 more times

It is probably worth checking a couple of times a year.

Happy to hear you like your Ref 150.

I hope this helps, I learnt through trail and error and it cost me a couple of tubes.

Cheers,
Tim

[Banter]

Cost no object, of course, considering the cost of a pair of paired KT-120.

[Banter]

Originally Posted by NoahG

Banter,

Congrats on the REF 150.

Are you using the 4 or 8 ohm outputs?

My speakers are rated at 6 Ohms. Right now I am using 4 Ohm taps.

[Banter]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Banter.......Excellent photos.

Thank you. But hate the look of those fugly tar covered trasformers.