looking for SS amp to pair with Ref 40

[TOGA]

Bryston has low input impedance, only half of recommended value krap.
here are some amps that has low input impedance that out of my short list
Mcintosh, Accuphase, Bryston, Jeff Rowland, Gryphon, Soulution, Burmester.

Here're some amps that Ref40 will be more comfortable to drive, Levinson, Krell, D'Agostino, Gryphon Solo model, Constellation Audio, Moon, ARC of course.

Karan should be nice, but no spec. on the web.

Or should I replace pre amp to the more universal one in the future. ...

Frankly, with Sophia3, I am totally happy with the sound using Ref40+Moon. It's easy to enjoy, colored or not. With Magico Q3, I makes me exciting to push its performance to the limit. It's so sensitive to small changes. I'm sure it will be sound even more wonderful with more exotic cables, source and amplification. If what JV of TAS said is true regarding sound of Constellation Audio that has beauty of tube+ precision/power of SS, that will be really interesting and that's what i am really looking for. But sadly I guess Constallation will be very expensive and hard to get in my country once again.

Toga

[Mikado463]

another Plinius fan here.....and Pass.....and Moon....and Spectral (heard the DMA-360's driving the Q-5's a while back) ....all good stuff IMO

[TOGA]

HI, so JAB
Can you give more details on how REF40+ Centaur Mono sounds ?
is the top treble well extended ? I 've read from TAS magazine that Constell. has
a darkish tone. I like something with airy and refined treble.
What you have described seem like Centuar is an amp that i am looking for.
Sweet liquid plus speed and power.
Also i wanna know bass performance . Damping factor is so low in the mono case.
It seems like a bridge version of centaur stereo. My Moon has DP of around 1000 or more.
This centaur DP is around 80 .
Thanks.
TOGA

And now there is Stereo Hercules II that has 500 watt as well .
The next FAQ will be Centaur Mono or Hercules Stereo..

[JAB]

Originally Posted by TOGA

HI, so JAB
Can you give more details on how REF40+ Centaur Mono sounds ?
is the top treble well extended ? I 've read from TAS magazine that Constell. has
a darkish tone. I like something with airy and refined treble.
What you have described seem like Centuar is an amp that i am looking for.
Sweet liquid plus speed and power.
Also i wanna know bass performance . Damping factor is so low in the mono case.
It seems like a bridge version of centaur stereo. My Moon has DP of around 1000 or more.
This centaur DP is around 80 .
Thanks.
TOGA

And now there is Stereo Hercules II that has 500 watt as well .
The next FAQ will be Centaur Mono or Hercules Stereo..

I believe that the TAS magazine review was for the Constellation Stereo Centaurus with the Virgo preamp.
That combination has a darkish and hi-fi sound which is not the case with the REF40 combination. I suspect the the Virgo is the culprit there. It already has been superseded by the Virgo2 which I have not heard yet. However REF40 with either Centaurus sounds great. The top treble is extended, airy and refined. They both have liquidity speed and power. With the Q3 the stereo version may be enough. However, although the stereo version runs the Q5 fine , the added power of the mono blocks drives them fantastically.
The bass performance of the mono blocks on the Q5 is incredible. I am hearing bass with definition and speed on the Q5s for the first time. The REF610s never had this type of resolution definition and speed.
If you have the chance to audition them in your own place with your own system, try them at once. You'll be hooked immediately.
I have two close friends who have Magico Q series speakers. Both have ARC REF5SE preamps. One has a Q5 driven by ref610s and the other a Q3 driven by REF250s. The one who has the Q5 listened to the mono blocks and was totally floored.
He is very sorry to have missed the chance for a REF40 to be able to combine with the mono blocks that he really wants.
Now he is trying to sell his 610s. By the way, they use a combination of Transparent cables and Odins ( PC + Speaker cables)
Pls make sure to listen to both versions as I suspect that the stereo version may be enough for the Q3. However, if you are planning to upgrade to the Q5s then get the mono blocks. I have not heard the Hercules amps so I don't know. But, I think for cost reasons the Centaurs will be more than enough on the Q3s.
If you have any more questions feel free to contact me.

[TOGA]

Thanks JB,

End of this month. I will have Centaur Mono for home demo.
So if power is not issue, then mono and stereo sounds the same or not ?
Stereo version seems to have better specification. Double DP, half output impedance.
Glad to know that they match well with ARc REF40. Both are from a very different
Designs, tube from old company vs solid state that claim to be light year ahead.
Even ARC REF75 drive Q3 very well. It just lack sparkle up top and lack Moon s
Instantaneous attack.
Toga.
Not sure by selling my Sophia3 and moon w7m will make enough initial fund for Centaur.
May be 3 months old REF75 will have to go to ... If centaur mono are really that good.
But if centaur stereo proved good enough then Ref75 will remain with me.
Ref75 make full and deep bass on my q3 however. From 8 ohm output tap.

[phunge]

I can recommend the combination of audio research pre amp and boulder amps. I have the arc ls26 pre amp paired up with boulder 850 amps and the combo is really fantastic. I have also heard arc ref5 with boulder 1050s which also work together extremely well. Not sure your budget, but ref40 with 2050s is my dream system!

I find the combo of tube front end with solid state amps in general to be well suited for my tastes. Lots of punch, sweet midrange -- very musical

[Priaptor]

Originally Posted by TOGA

Thanks JB,

End of this month. I will have Centaur Mono for home demo.
So if power is not issue, then mono and stereo sounds the same or not ?
Stereo version seems to have better specification. Double DP, half output impedance.
Glad to know that they match well with ARc REF40. Both are from a very different
Designs, tube from old company vs solid state that claim to be light year ahead.
Even ARC REF75 drive Q3 very well. It just lack sparkle up top and lack Moon s
Instantaneous attack.
Toga.
Not sure by selling my Sophia3 and moon w7m will make enough initial fund for Centaur.
May be 3 months old REF75 will have to go to ... If centaur mono are really that good.
But if centaur stereo proved good enough then Ref75 will remain with me.
Ref75 make full and deep bass on my q3 however. From 8 ohm output tap.

I just bought the stereo Centaur and with the Ref5SE it is superb.

It turned out to be better than I could have imagined.

I bought it for a second system but live it with the 5SE which I use with my main system. While I still like my Ref 250s I could be very very happy if this was my only amp

I have tried with my Q1s which I like better than the Ref 250s although I like my Ref250s better with my Nola Baby Grand Series II.

I think you will love the combo with your Q3s.

[SundayNiagara]

Originally Posted by Priaptor

I just bought the stereo Centaur and with the Ref5SE it is superb.

It turned out to be better than I could have imagined.

I bought it for a second system but live it with the 5SE which I use with my main system. While I still like my Ref 250s I could be very very happy if this was my only amp

I have tried with my Q1s which I like better than the Ref 250s although I like my Ref250s better with my Nola Baby Grand Series II.

I think you will love the combo with your Q3s.

Priaptor: Why not become a subscriber?

[Priaptor]

Originally Posted by SundayNiagara

Priaptor: Why not become a subscriber?

I wasn't aware there is such a thing. What does it mean to be a "subscriber" than what I am now?

[TOGA]

Just a few years ago i thought that dreaming about $40000 amp'was insane.

Now we are talking about $50,000 amplifier.
Everything is getting more and more expensive.