G Series Review in new HiFi News issue today

[Bavarian05]

Just a heads up.
It's out now...unfortunately not reviewed by Ken Kessler though.
I was hoping it would be as he has a lengthy history of reviewing ARC gear and still owns current Ref gear.

[analog brother]

sometimes better to hear somebody else's opinion....

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by analog brother

sometimes better to hear somebody else's opinion....

never! especially from someone who gets paid to offer their opinion.

[domby]

The review underscores many of Priaptor's comments regarding where pre/power sit in the line up - GS pre seems to be more akin to ARC line stage rather than Ref level but GS150 is deemed an improvement over Ref 150.

[ariess]

Originally Posted by domby

The review underscores many of Priaptor's comments regarding where pre/power sit in the line up - GS pre seems to be more akin to ARC line stage rather than Ref level but GS150 is deemed an improvement over Ref 150.

It does indeed. I would still like to hear someone compare the GS150 to the Ref 150 + KT150 but my mind has been opened to the possibility of GS150 supremacy.

[soundslikemusic]

Originally Posted by ariess

It does indeed. I would still like to hear someone compare the GS150 to the Ref 150 + KT150 but my mind has been opened to the possibility of GS150 supremacy.

Am sure that the folks in arc will make sure their newer amps are better than the previous models especially with these price premiums.

[Harlequin]

Having experienced the GS 150 with 6 and then 68 hours on the clock I have no doubt that with another couple of hundred hours on the clock, opening up the amplifiers performance even further, that this model will prove to be an ***Exceptional*** valve amplifier.

However, for current Ref150 owners the caviat still remains, just how close , sonically, are the two models whilst comparing an Ref150 sporting KT150's ? And taking into consideration the additional funds required of the 'upgrade', may one 'live' on the difference!?

A couple of points from the review did catch my attention viz.

" Owners of the REF150 will probably be wondering if they might achieve a better sound still, with KT150s. ‘They’d undoubtedly sound more similar,’ says Ward, ‘but other design changes and advancements will still provide the GS150 with an edge over the REF150 "

" So, before REF owners feel tempted to upgrade lock, stock and barrel, I’d urge them to first
audition an ARC REF150 with KT150s in place of the stock KT120s"


" Dominating but also graceful, ARC’s trio of analogue meters conveys a measure of mains line voltage, tube bias current (in adjustment mode) and power output. The log scaling of the latter seems of decorative value only as a sustained 10W/8ohm registered just ‘0.015’ on the display "

I would hope that the latter point might be as a consequence of a faulty meter ?
Otherwise rather disappointing in a Model at this price point.

Also, and For My part, I would have preferred that the facility of an 16 Ohm tap had been retained, although I do appreciate the reasoning behind this descision.

However , with All that said, I do find myself tending toward agreement with the reviewers summation of the GS 150 amplifier.


Jasper.

[radio times]

i used to work with Ken Kessler!

[Glisse]

Originally Posted by radio times

i used to work with Ken Kessler!

Did he give you a watch when you left

[radio times]

No, I was only a post room johnnie, though the studio for pics was right next door. Yep, top hi fi under arc lights through the day. This was way before the live music biz curdled me ownership needs. I really should have expressed more of an interest. 1986 I think it was.