ARC is freakin expensive.

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by audioguy3107

Mouse - well, you are on Audio Aficionado!! Not sure how much sympathy you'll get here for ARC prices!

- Buck

LOL, I know. Sympathy not needed, just some sticker shock.

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Mouse.......It is just a matter of perspective. ARC sells for peanuts if you compare it to Goldmund. Their Telos 360 mono amps go for $40K a pair. A pair of darTZeel NHB-458 monoblock amplifiers will set you back $145K. That's nearly 10 times what the ARC Ref 150SE sells for. Even the darTZeel CTH-8550 integrated amplifier retails at $25K. There are plenty more examples to be found, but you get my point. If you have a budget, shop for gear within its limits. Avoid looking at gear beyond your comfort level. Otherwise be prepared to go bankrupt quick.

LOL, Thanks for setting me straight Dan. I've never even heard of these brands. I live in Denver so I'll keep my eye out for them next year at RMAF; it's nice to hear top of the line gear and learn more about what makes them great.

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by bigblue

And when you want an ARC with a Hemi V8 under the hood you could go for Gryphon
I enjoyed ARC for many years with my Sonus Faber speakers. It is a great combo. But the nerve and presence the Gryphon added to the mix is addictive IMO.

Gryphon has one dealer in the USA. As much as I'd love to hear it I'm afraid that a demo will not be possible.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by Mouse

It's good to know Foundation is a good system, it's more or less in my range. My dealer's opinion was that the integrated sounded a lot better than the entry level amp (he's not impressed at all), or something like that. I don't remember the model numbers though. I'm apprehensive of the integrated as one small change obsoletes the system, whether it be a dac or wattage. ARC's website does a poor job of photographing the rear of every model so I can see the inputs; it may not have inputs I'm looking for, or inputs I'm looking for in the future.

Well now you definitely need to hear them for yourself. Sadly, you don't have a Sonus dealer in the entire state where you can demo these on your speakers. It wouldn't take long to find out which ARC is for you.

Here's a link to the back panel of the GSi75: GSi75 inputs

The LS28/VT80 are far better than good. Think of them as entry level ARC REF gear because that's exactly what they are. There are very good reasons ARC chose to call the series Foundation.

BTW, You can also add KT150s to the VT80 so you can compare apples to apples with the integrateds. In addition, the Foundation Series is fully balanced with the ability to use single ended if desired. The integrateds are single ended only.

Best of luck in your search.

Bill

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by metaphacts

Well now you definitely need to hear them for yourself. Sadly, you don't have a Sonus dealer in the entire state where you can demo these on your speakers. It wouldn't take long to find out which ARC is for you.

Here's a link to the back panel of the GSi75: GSi75 inputs

The LS28/VT80 are far better than good. Think of them as entry level ARC REF gear because that's exactly what they are. There are very good reasons ARC chose to call the series Foundation.

BTW, You can also add KT150s to the VT80 so you can compare apples to apples with the integrateds. In addition, the Foundation Series is fully balanced with the ability to use single ended if desired. The integrateds are single ended only.

Best of luck in your search.

Bill

Thanks for the tip. I had no idea that the integrated doesn't take XLR. I'm not sure it's a dealbreaker but I'd may be adding an aurender streamer. It has coax and USB so I may still be ok.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Mouse

Gryphon has one dealer in the USA. As much as I'd love to hear it I'm afraid that a demo will not be possible.

The one listed on their web site is the USA & Canada distributor -- my dealer carries Gryphon and he's not listed on their web site. Maybe you should call the San Juan Capistrano office and inquire.

Best Sir,

Bib

[doggiehowser]

No doubt ARC is expensive. And even more so in Australia. It’s 23k for the Reference 3 Phono and 6 preamp. With about 75 cents USD to a dollar AUD.

BUT boy does it sound good.

You know what else gets my goat? PCB mounted tube sockets. And still a very low tech volume control (vs something like an Ayre KXR or PS Audio BHK Pre)

But man, once you get it matched with the rest of your gear, it’s hard to argue with yourself about the cost when you are smiling like an idiot listening to your music. And enjoying every second.

Ps have a listen to the PS Audio BHK Signature preamp. I really think it is an underrated preamp.

[GaryProtein]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Mouse, check this site for specs and prices on ARC gear. http://www.arcdb.ws

I checked out that website and looked at the REF750 monoblock. $27,500 each

The damping factor is 17 (seventeen).

How come nobody complains about that, yet people are quick to complain about Mc damping factors not being high enough when they are considerably higher than the ARC?

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

I checked out that website and looked at the REF750 monoblock. $27,500 each

The damping factor is 17 (seventeen).

How come nobody complains about that, yet people are quick to complain about Mc damping factors not being high enough when they are considerably higher than the ARC?

I do not know what is the damping factor of the REF250 monoblocks, but even used with a LS27 preamp, the sound on Wilson Sasha was very boring and flat. The MC601's were much more involving and alive.
I strongly disagree with some of the comments above stating that ARC and McIntosh do not match well. Imho, ARC preamps are superb and sound better than Mc preamps. But McIntosh is head and shoulders above ARC when it comes to power amps.
I have quite a few friends who use an ARC preamp with Mc power. The synergy is stunning.

[cleeds]

While I would agree that ARC equipment is expensive, I think it also represents good value. ARC still services to factory spec (or better) almost every piece of equipment it ever made, and the gear holds its value relatively well on the used market. ARC gear is also reliable over the long term and even older units compare favorably to modern equipment.