New ARC Reference system

[PHC1]

The new system is in the house!

I picked up the components today and after the somewhat time consuming task of removing all the covers off to install the tubes and buttoning everything back down, the system consisting of the new Reference 250's, 40th Anniversary preamp and Reference 2 phono stage was finally sitting on a rack ready to play. After letting the tubes warm up for 30 min, as per the manual, I checked the bias of the Ref250s and the KT120s and found one amp to be quite a bit off. A quick adjustment brought the bias back into the target zone and I let the music continue to play for another 45 min to fully warm up before coming back down to have a listen.

WOW! The system has only 3 hours on it, I can already say this, if the sound doesn't change at all after break in, I'll be very, very satisfied. If the sound does change for the better after the full break in, well.... I will be simply blown away.

Either the 40th Anniv. preamp is that much better or the new KT120s of the REF250s are that much different but I can say that I am even more impressed with what I am hearing out of the box than I did with the REF5 and 210s with 1200 hrs on them. The synergy between the new components is incredible. Simply gorgeous sound. I am hearing exactly what I was hoping to achieve out of this and these top notch ARC components exceeded my expectations with only a few hours on the clock!

I am also very happy with the way the REF250's look in person. I wasn't 100% on that but now that they are here, I like them a lot! The bluish meters are elegant and understated.

I'll play around with it more and get into more details as the break in progresses.

Here are some nudies for you guys to enjoy as well as a video in full 1080P.

[ame=http://youtu.be/7HiS4a-TcAU]ARC Reference - YouTube[/ame]

[PHC1]

[Vintage Pete]

[/QUOTE]

Back on topic.....this picture is the "money" shot! Simply beautiful.


Pete

[chessman]

Serge, congrats! Gorgeous gear. Keep us posted on break-in changes.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by chessman

Serge, congrats! Gorgeous gear. Keep us posted on break-in changes.

Thanks Randy! Will do.

[Vintage Pete]

Serge....congratulations on a beautiful new rig. I've always admired ARC gear for its build quality, its very high performance and very professional looking yet very elegant appearance.

I thoroughly enjoyed the video...and those new Tannoy Canterburies look really beautiful.

First class indeed!!


Pete


EDIT: Wow, look at these photos you added while I was watching the video/replying. Ooozes class.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

Serge....congratulations on a beautiful new rig. I've always admired ARC gear for its build quality, its very high performance and very professional looking yet very elegant appearance.

I thoroughly enjoyed the video...and those new Tannoy Canterburies look really beautiful.

First class indeed!!


Pete


EDIT: Wow, look at these photos you added while I was watching the video/replying. Ooozes class.

Pete, ARC has always been one of the top players and I have owned a few ARC components over the years. I've always enjoyed them but can't say that I was 100% satisfied with any ARC units before today! This reunion is the sweetest one yet! Tonight's listening session was so satisfying I needed a

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Pete, ARC has always been one of the top players and I have owned a few ARC components over the years. I've always enjoyed them but can't say that I was 100% satisfied with any ARC units before today! This reunion is the sweetest one yet! Tonight's listening session was so satisfying I needed a

Very cool Serge....what is the power rating for these amps?


Pete

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

Very cool Serge....what is the power rating for these amps?


Pete

Pete, 250w. In my system they are barely breathing but man do they sound dynamic at even those lower levels and often fraction of watt! Their design is something else.

The performance advances of the new REF150 stereo power amplifier vs. the previous REF110 are replicated even more forcefully in the Reference 250 vs. the previous Reference 210. The Reference 250 ($12,995 each) is a mono-block design affording the maximum channel isolation for the best possible stereo imaging. A new power transformer and 50% more power supply energy storage, along with KT120 output tubes, give the REF250 tremendous impact, bass speed, control, and definition. New Teflon-technology capacitors also improve resolution and focus on every type of musical program. Explosive micro- and macro-dynamics, a very low noise floor, and vice-like control over every type of loudspeaker will be recognized as the hallmarks of this remarkable power amplifier. A new analog meter replaces the vacuum-fluorescent digital display of its predecessor. This illuminated meter is capable of displaying power output and output tube bias settings. Adjustment pots for tube bias are located just underneath the meter, making changes to tube bias a very simple and quick operation. Meter illumination has three levels and can be turned off completely. Near the front of the circuit board inside the REF250 there is a small LCD display showing accumulated tube hours, visible with the top cover in place. The fan on the rear of each chassis now features low-turbulence intake grids and has two selectable speeds for ultra quiet and effective cooling. Audio Research believes that the REF250 is the finest sounding power amplifier they have ever made.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Pete, 250w. In my system they are barely breathing but man do they sound dynamic at even those lower levels and often fraction of watt! Their design is something else.

The performance advances of the new REF150 stereo power amplifier vs. the previous REF110 are replicated even more forcefully in the Reference 250 vs. the previous Reference 210. The Reference 250 ($12,995 each) is a mono-block design affording the maximum channel isolation for the best possible stereo imaging. A new power transformer and 50% more power supply energy storage, along with KT120 output tubes, give the REF250 tremendous impact, bass speed, control, and definition. New Teflon-technology capacitors also improve resolution and focus on every type of musical program. Explosive micro- and macro-dynamics, a very low noise floor, and vice-like control over every type of loudspeaker will be recognized as the hallmarks of this remarkable power amplifier. A new analog meter replaces the vacuum-fluorescent digital display of its predecessor. This illuminated meter is capable of displaying power output and output tube bias settings. Adjustment pots for tube bias are located just underneath the meter, making changes to tube bias a very simple and quick operation. Meter illumination has three levels and can be turned off completely. Near the front of the circuit board inside the REF250 there is a small LCD display showing accumulated tube hours, visible with the top cover in place. The fan on the rear of each chassis now features low-turbulence intake grids and has two selectable speeds for ultra quiet and effective cooling. Audio Research believes that the REF250 is the finest sounding power amplifier they have ever made.

Wow.....these are serious amplifiers indeed.


Pete