Anyone heard or compared G Series Pre w/ REF5SE ?

[soundslikemusic]

Would be curious if the GSpre is an upgrade over the REF5SE considering it cost $3,000 more.
Thanks

[Banter]

Originally Posted by soundslikemusic

Would be curious if the GSpre is an upgrade over the REF5SE considering it cost $3,000 more.
Thanks

I would be quite interested in this comparison too.

[2fastdriving]

It's 5k more. And I think it's a Ref 5 with a phono and headphone amps tacked onto a nice faceplate.

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

It's 5k more. And I think it's a Ref 5 with a phono and headphone amps tacked onto a nice faceplate.

Not exactly Marc, I was chatting to the European distributor about the GS range and he stated that whilst a superb pre, its line level performance approximated closer to an SP20 rather than Ref5se. I did inquire whether he was quoting the recent HiFi World review and was advised that this hierarchy was his considered opinion.Where you do score however is in the additional functionality offered by the GS pre, which I must say looks very nice up close.

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by Harlequin

Not exactly Marc, I was chatting to the European distributor about the GS range and he stated that whilst a superb pre, its line level performance approximated closer to an SP20 rather than Ref5se. I did inquire whether he was quoting the recent HiFi World review and was advised that this hierarchy was his considered opinion.Where you do score however is in the additional functionality offered by the GS pre, which I must say looks very nice up close.

I'm not basing my opinion on any facts, but given that the gspre is twice as much as the sp20, it should be closer to Ref 5 performance. It has the same features as a sp20, so would people really pay twice as much to get a pretty face? Don't answer that ;-)

[soundslikemusic]

http://www.absolutesounds.com/pdf/ma...Series1214.pdf

[2fastdriving]

Looks like I was right.

[tima]

Thanks for posting the link to the GS150/GSpre review! It seemed primarily focused on the GS150.

From the HFNARR article: "Unsurprisingly, the [GSpre] line stage circuit is based on ARC’s valve of choice – four 6H30 double triodes albeit with a low-noise J-FET front-end."

I don't recall the REF5 or REF5SE using J-FETs. Anyone know?

Maybe I missed it but was there anything in the article about the GSpre preamp power supply? Tube regulation? Tube type?

These words from the author on its sonics: "And the GSPre (at line levels) is marginally a better choice – more open, transparent and musically relaxed..." presumably a "better choice" than the Ref5SE? And from WarrenG of ARC: "‘By contrast the GSPre is really more a hybrid of a variety of products. Performance-wise, it nears the sonic capabilities of the Reference 5SE preamplifier and the PH8 phono preamplifier.’ (my italics)

The GS combo really is a different product. And it will be interesting to follow how Fine Sounds manages (juggles?) the GS line with the 'traditional' ARC line. The aesthetic design of each is different enough that probably discourages mix n match for many.

If the Galileo products succeed will we see separates for the linestage and phonostage with higher sonic performance than the GSpre, complicating the picture further?

Makes me think the Galileo series is a trial balloon. For now, I'll guess ARC will be keeping a REF set of components (today the REF 10 and REF 10 Phono) as their top-of-the-line offerings.

[MPS]

Originally Posted by tima

From the HFNARR article: "Unsurprisingly, the [GSpre] line stage circuit is based on ARC’s valve of choice – four 6H30 double triodes albeit with a low-noise J-FET front-end."

I don't recall the REF5 or REF5SE using J-FETs. Anyone know?

All REF-series preamplifiers REF3, REF5 and REF5SE use similar FET-6H30-6H30 topology. There is some differences in component level and circuit board layout.

[Harlequin]

Hmmm, Not exactly a tour de force of the reviewers craft I have to say!

Slightly bemused by this comment as well,

" 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.

I would keep my fingers crossed though "