Anyone switched from Ref150 to Ref75?

[guitardave]

I have a Ref5se/Ref150 combo. I really don't need 150 watts for my small room and Devore Nines. So I am curious if anyone has made the switch to the Ref75 and what their thoughts were. I understand the possible benefits from simplicity, but wondering really if the 75 might really sound "better" than a Ref150 if the power is not needed??
Or, has anyone gone from a Ref75 to a Ref150?

[jdandy]

Dave.......I think we should cue the crickets.

[2fastdriving]

I'm kind of interested in the differences, but I doubt it is worth ditching a Ref 150 for a 75. You should just love your 150, I'm sure it's awesome!

[guitardave]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

I'm kind of interested in the differences, but I doubt it is worth ditching a Ref 150 for a 75. You should just love your 150, I'm sure it's awesome!

Yes, it is awesome. And I do love it! Just speculating, that's all...

[Priaptor]

"UPGRADED" from Ref250s to the Ref75

With my system, it was a big upgrade.

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by Priaptor

"UPGRADED" from Ref250s to the Ref75 With my system, it was a big upgrade.

That's quite a statement, one that I'm sure many would take issue with. What specifically do you feel is so much better with the ref75?

[Priaptor]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

That's quite a statement, one that I'm sure many would take issue with. What specifically do you feel is so much better with the ref75?

First let me state, it is all a function of the speaker and I was being a little flip.

I had a pair of Nola Baby Grands Series II that I was going to upgrade to the new Gold series and decided to upgrade to their new big guys, The Concert Grand Golds, while larger and fuller scale, are much more sensitive.

I loved my REF250s and when I tried the REF75 with my smaller less efficient Baby Grands I thought the REF250s were better. The new faster magnets that Carl is now using with his speakers in addition to the higher sensitivity of Concert Grands lends it to the REF75 which sounds much better than the REF250s. In fact this is the amp Carl demos the Concert Grands with.

Incidentally I see you have Sashas. My buddy sells ARC and Wilson and the REF75 is fantastic with the Sashas

So #1 it is all about the speaker.

Assuming the speaker can be driven and driven well my opinion is the REF75 is more open and has much more space and faster transients. Surprisingly my Concert Grands have large subs and the REF75 puts out tremendous bass when mated to the Concert Grands.

Just my opinion, but this is best ARC amp I have ever heard and if the speaker can be adequately driven is the ARC amp of choice.

[Ritmo]

Dave,

Tough question to answer. Both are fantastic amps. I happen to really like the Ref 75 a lot - one of my favorite ARC amps!

I have listened to both quite a bit but have never done a side by side comparo.

Lastly, can you borrow a Ref 75 for a home audition?

Thx!