A nice little Audio Research System from 2 pieces

[TMcD]

I happened to be in Hong Kong yesterday and stopped by Fine Sounds as I had some time to kill in Central.
They were playing a ARC VSi75 + ARC CD9/DAC combo in their show room through some Sonus Faber book shelf speakers. It sounds so good at first I thought it had to be the Ref 150/Ref 5se combo playing.

[microstrip]

Originally Posted by ariess

MSRP for VSi75 ($8k) +REF CD9/DAC ($13k) is $21k
The closest 4 box approximation (not exact, but close) would probably be
REF75 ($9k) + LS27 ($7k) + CD8 ($10k) + DAC8 ($5k)=$31k. I would love to A/B the 4 box version against the 2.

If one added (just an example, but what I use) some Shunyata power cords ($1k-$2k per cord) and Transparent Ultra/Reference connectors ($1k-$2k per set), thats half the cable cost, so another $6k saved on cables.

I don't actually hide my components away as I too think they look great, but the small number of boxes earns big value on the WAF scale and the ability to put the whole system on a higher up shelf keeps the kids from touching them. I will send some pics.

Why not the REF75 ($9k) + LS27 ($7k) +REF CD9/DAC (13k) ? I have listened to the CD8, DAC8 and CD9 in my system and preferred the CD9.

The CD8 and CD9 have a tube output stage that is very similar to the REF series preamplifiers - they should be an excellent match for the VSi 75.

[Higgens]

arises: you've got a great system. It's clear that a lot of thought went into the component selection and integration into your living space. Nice work.

[ariess]

Thank you. Here is another pic so you can see a room perspective. The speaker cables (Transparent Reference) dive down through the cabinet, below the floor, than pop up underneath each speaker. Suffice it to say it ain't easy to change speaker cables but I have done it 3 times! I was able to fit a Shunyata Triton conditioner below the ARC components (which must sit on top due to the need for tube ventilation), flanked by digital sources. The space limit is why I went for the two box system. Two dedicated 20 amp circuits sit in the cabinet below for power, fed by Shunyata Zitron Pythons (out of sight).

You can see my "listening couch" opposite the speakers, about 9 feet away. Acoustically, the best feature is having the speakers and listener along a long wall which avoids sidewall reflections and gives good imaging. This is my stealth listening room, though my family thinks its the living room.





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[Ritmo]

Well done ariess!

[bvdiman]

Thanks for the pics.. Nicely done!

[Bavarian05]

Originally Posted by ariess

Thank you. Here is another pic so you can see a room perspective. The speaker cables (Transparent Reference) dive down through the cabinet, below the floor, than pop up underneath each speaker. Suffice it to say it ain't easy to change speaker cables but I have done it 3 times! I was able to fit a Shunyata Triton conditioner below the ARC components (which must sit on top due to the need for tube ventilation), flanked by digital sources. The space limit is why I went for the two box system. Two dedicated 20 amp circuits sit in the cabinet below for power, fed by Shunyata Zitron Pythons (out of sight).

You can see my "listening couch" opposite the speakers, about 9 feet away. Acoustically, the best feature is having the speakers and listener along a long wall which avoids sidewall reflections and gives good imaging. This is my stealth listening room, though my family thinks its the living room.

Very impressive and so well integrated into your living space. Congrats and well done!
Those 802Ds sure are pretty in cherry. ;-)

[chessman]

Originally Posted by ariess

Thank you. Here is another pic so you can see a room perspective. The speaker cables (Transparent Reference) dive down through the cabinet, below the floor, than pop up underneath each speaker. Suffice it to say it ain't easy to change speaker cables but I have done it 3 times! I was able to fit a Shunyata Triton conditioner below the ARC components (which must sit on top due to the need for tube ventilation), flanked by digital sources. The space limit is why I went for the two box system. Two dedicated 20 amp circuits sit in the cabinet below for power, fed by Shunyata Zitron Pythons (out of sight).

You can see my "listening couch" opposite the speakers, about 9 feet away. Acoustically, the best feature is having the speakers and listener along a long wall which avoids sidewall reflections and gives good imaging. This is my stealth listening room, though my family thinks its the living room.

Attachment 30386

Beautifully implemented. Very well done!!

[Harlequin]

Very nice rig indeed ariess

I particularly like the way you have arranged your room correction to be so visually unobtrusive .

Might the clearance available to the KT's still prove a little less than ideal during a long session tho

[ariess]

Thanks for your concern Harlequin on the KTs. The frontal view doesn't show that the tubes are totally open on the top. See attached pic with side view. The mesh cage just covers the power transformers and looks to be cosmetic as it doesn't heat up.





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