Audio Research Ref 5 + 210

[howiebrou]

I had a listen the other day to the Reference 5 preamp plus 210 monoblocks. The source was a AR CD8 and the speakers were Sonus Faber Stradivaris. I will admit having never been particularly exited by AR sound. I found it slightly dull and lifeless. BUt this time I found it sounded very good indeed. The music was dynamic, there was punch, clarity but also emotion in the music.

Does anyone have much experience with this combo or with AR gear in general. What should I know about it if I am contemplating it?

howie

[cmalak]

Howie...I own the ARC Ref 3 (predecessor to REF 5) and the ARC REF 110 (stereo version of the 210 monos that puts out 110wpc). I also have the ARC REF CD7 (predecessor the the CD8 you heard). I have had the equipment for about 3 years or so. Before that I had an intro MF A5 integrated amp and A5 CD player. When I upgraded from MF to ARC some 3 yrs ago, I auditioned a lot of gear from Simaudio, Naim, Conrad Johnson, Boulder, etc...and to my ears ARC had the right mix of tube and SS qualities. It was not overly tubey in the sense of having a syrupy midrange, flabby bass, and rolled off highs, rather it is tonally neutral with good grip down in the bass (although you can still best it on that parameter with good SS equipment), a very natural sounding midrange, and extended but realistic sounding highs. What ARC gear does that are the hallmarks of tubes is deliver natural timbres, 3-D soundstages that spread the music well beyond the speakers laterally (if they are capable of doing that) and with phenomenal depth layering. Where it emulates SS is in its tonal neutrality and low noise floor, allowing you to lock in on the music's resolution and micro details. Dynamics are very good, especially for a tube design, because of the overengineered power supplies with tons of energy storage so that the gear has plenty of reserves for dynamic peaks. Some people who are used to traditional tube euphonics find ARC gear lean or dry sounding (primarily because on tonal spectrum it is very neutral/linear without spotlighting any part of the frequency range) but I disagree I just find it very natural sounding with no colorations. Hope this helps Howie.

[Tonepub]

The latest version of ARC stuff is stunning. Much more musical than the last generation without losing the dynamics and resolution they are famous for...

Just bought the REF 2 Phono and it is fantastic! Best phono preamp I've yet heard... Caelin Gabriel, the founder of Shunyata has all current REF stuff in his sound room at Shunyata and it's one of the best systems I've had the pleasure to hear.

ARC makes great stuff, high quality. If you get a pair of 210's, just be ready to buy 16 KT88's/6550's every 3-5000 hours! And have adequate ventilation...

[howiebrou]

Damn. That means another pair on the shortlist

[cmalak]

Howie...why would you need REF 210s with your Avantgarde speakers? That is way too much muscle for those speakers....no? I don't think you can go wrong with the current generation Reference ARC products as Jeff said.

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Howie...why would you need REF 210s with your Avantgarde speakers? That is way too much muscle for those speakers....no? I don't think you can go wrong with the current generation Reference ARC products as Jeff said.

Well noted. Actually they were Acapella not Avantgarde and they have gone as well. My new speakers will be revealed in good time once I have actually bought them!

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by howiebrou

Well noted. Actually they were Acapella not Avantgarde and they have gone as well. My new speakers will be revealed in good time once I have actually bought them!

Acapella not Avantgarde...check
They have gone...check
New speakers will be revealed in good time...

Exchange of entire system with Jerry (except for Avid turntable system) followed by complete disassemblage of said system...things that make you say hmmm

Looking forward to the reveal

[TommyC]

Originally Posted by howiebrou

Well noted. Actually they were Acapella not Avantgarde and they have gone as well. My new speakers will be revealed in good time once I have actually bought them!

Maybe a pair of SF Stradivari !

[JSCC]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Acapella not Avantgarde...check
They have gone...check
New speakers will be revealed in good time...

Exchange of entire system with Jerry (except for Avid turntable system) followed by complete disassemblage of said system...things that make you say hmmm

Looking forward to the reveal

Hmmmm, I wonder when would be my turn to do the same act?

I might just beat Howie by letting the Thorens go so nothing remains!

Well, like Dan put it ... and I shall borrow, " I may be crazy BUT certainly, I am NOT mad!" My ears will be wrung off my head if I ever do that this year! My wife is not so gentle with me like Howard's wife does to him when things went awry, especially when I start to rescind on my promise that I will be KEEPING this system!

Someday, when I do find the right reasons (for myself and then my wife), I might do the ... just one more thingy ....

Till then, I will savor the best of Thorens, Magnum Dynalab, Oppo & Meridian had to offer and seriously, the combo does make a great satisfying musical gourmet every day!

Cheers!

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by JSCC

Till then, I will savor the best of Thorens, Magnum Dynalab, Oppo & Meridian had to offer and seriously, the combo does make a great satisfying musical gourmet every day!

Cheers!

And Jerry...that's all that matters. Enjoy it for a very long time