ARC Ref250's

[bvdiman]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

Wow - maybe the Futura's aren't as sensitive as the Sasha's, because I can't imagine running out of steam in my system. But I believe you. Congratulations, I am looking forward to your thoughts after you put them into your system.

The REF150 (when I had them) ran out of steam driving my Magico V3 to high spLs, but my brother's did ok with his Sasha. However, my room is also quite a bit bigger.

[NOLG4EVR]

I ran Ref 250's and Ref5 se into Futura's with excellent results. Transparent interconnects and speaker cables were the icing on the cake.

Although I have since moved on to SET amp's I was very pleased with my previous set-up. You are in for a treat.

[kngale1]

Originally Posted by TLi

The latest version of Ref 250 should have golden caps and white cooling fans.

My Ref250 purchased 2014 has a mixture of golden and white caps. I think both golden and white have the same SQ and reliability.

My room is 33'x25'x15' and it has enough power to drive TAD E1 to concert levels. I have ~300 hours on mine but should start sounding very good ~200 hours.

I was told caps takes ~600 hours to break in so will roll KT150 after break-in.

[MPS]

Originally Posted by kngale1

My Ref250 purchased 2014 has a mixture of golden and white caps. I think both golden and white have the same SQ and reliability.

My room is 33'x25'x15' and it has enough power to drive TAD E1 to concert levels. I have ~300 hours on mine but should start sounding very good ~200 hourïs.

I was told caps takes ~600 hours to break in so will roll KT150 after break-in.

I find it highly unlikely that Teflon and MKP caps would sound similar, true SQ might be very good on both. Anyway it's Teflon caps that require extended burn in time.
"White" caps definitely sound different than "red" caps and I believe ARC presented "white" caps as improvement over previous caps. Personnally I prefer the more neutral and analytical sound of Teflon caps over high quality MKPs.

[kngale1]

Originally Posted by MPS

I find it highly unlikely that Teflon and MKP caps would sound similar, true SQ might be very good on both. Anyway it's Teflon caps that require extended burn in time.
"White" caps definitely sound different than "red" caps and I believe ARC presented "white" caps as improvement over previous caps. Personnally I prefer the more neutral and analytical sound of Teflon caps over high quality MKPs.

In my amp, all the big caps are white. Only 2 or 3 of the small ones are gold color. According to ARC, owners should not hear a difference between the caps.

[MPS]

Hmm.. if there is no difference, why use expensive Teflon caps?
I have heard the difference every time I have changed caps - they all sound different, sort of like cables.

[kngale1]

Originally Posted by MPS

Hmm.. if there is no difference, why use expensive Teflon caps?
I have heard the difference every time I have changed caps - they all sound different, sort of like cables.

I never asked Kalvin directly but I heard the reason ARC changed caps was due to a supply issue.

From my experience, I don't ARC will use anything not up to spec in terms of SQ and reliability.

[MPS]

Originally Posted by kngale1

I never asked Kalvin directly but I heard the reason ARC changed caps was due to a supply issue.

From my experience, I don't ARC will use anything not up to spec in terms of SQ and reliability.

I totally agree.

[rscotth]

One of the best upgrades I've ever done. The ARC sound is for me! Effortless, Greta leading transients, wonderful air, just more life-like than I've ever heard in my room.

[rscotth]

I've got some cable management to work on, but oh the sound. My McIntosh MC501's were good, but the ARC ref250's are in a whole different league!