Audio Research Reference 75

[markmck79]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Yes, I noticed that too.

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Possibly some form of Finite Elemente cera feet, like those for B&Ws. It looks like the dealer is using one of the new FE amp stands.

[Bavarian05]

Originally Posted by cmalak

tima...thx for posting. Saw that earlier. Stinks that the Ref 150 won't be sporting the meters in an SE revision or otherwise

I think I am the odd man out here, as I am not a fan of the new meters on ARC stuff.
Reminds me too much of the Mac meters which I find to be overly busy and distracting - could be that I am too easily distracted...
One of my favorite features of my Ref 110 is the simplicity of the aesthetics... Just my two cents.

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[ehoove]

At least they are not led meters, which come off as cheap to me. My ears can't hear a light show.
Regards,
Jim

[Kingsrule]

Originally Posted by Bavarian05

I think I am the odd man out here, as I am not a fan of the new meters on ARC stuff.
Reminds me too much of the Mac meters which I find to be overly busy and distracting - could be that I am too easily distracted...
One of my favorite features of my Ref 110 is the simplicity of the aesthetics... Just my two cents.

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I'm with you on the meters. I hope you can at least turn off the lights.
To me the REF 150 looks so much better
It would be nice if ARC made the meters an option. I bet it would reduce the retail by $1000 which would be awesome!!

[enatai252]

Add another vote for no meters. On my 250s I leave meter and lights off. I also wish the 250s had a big rocker switch for power as compared to the push button. I do like the fan and bias options up front but I guess that does require the meters...

On the 150 I have to open to switch fan setting and rebias

[Ritmo]

I think this amp is going to be a winner. Paired with a nicely efficient speaker, it should be "delicious". (hope Alberto doesn't mind!)

Mike

[doggiehowser]

Are these new Wilson's easier to drive?

I heard a Reference 150 trying to push a large Wilson in the showroom. Might have been an XLF and I thought that the Reference 150 was barely nudging the big speakers. The mids and highs were sweet as one would expect, but the bass wasn't delivering the goods you knew it could. So I can't imagine how the half powered 75s could handle Wilson's.

[TMcD]

Originally Posted by doggiehowser

Are these new Wilson's easier to drive?

I heard a Reference 150 trying to push a large Wilson in the showroom. Might have been an XLF and I thought that the Reference 150 was barely nudging the big speakers. The mids and highs were sweet as one would expect, but the bass wasn't delivering the goods you knew it could. So I can't imagine how the half powered 75s could handle Wilson's.

I have used my Linn Classic to drive my S3s and it sounded great and it is 75 watts. I suspect a Ref 75 would be magic with S3s or Sashas.

[Kingsrule]

I'm thinking a REF DAC and a REF 75 would be interesting to try on Sasha's and a real synergistic combo.
Haven't had tubes in a long time because my system is on 12+ hours per day but the
75 wouldn't be too bad as far as cost goes to retube.
Actually monos based on the 75 would be real nice!

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by tima

Thanks, Cyril. Without knowing about a Ref 150 SE, I'll bet ARC is aware of the analog meter's appeal. I agree they do look cool. Like everything else there's likely a trade-off between form factor, features, price and most importantly, how it performs. After hearing the 250s, if the 150 has similar sonics respective to its class, given those trade-offs I think they made the right ones.

agreed