ARC REF 10 Review (mini review)

[mbovaird]

Yesterday I received my ARC REF 10 preamp. This is a two chassis tube preamp, featuring tubes in both the audio section and power supply section. Audio Research designed the REF 10 based on things they had learned from building the Anniversary Edition, their previous flagship preamp. More on that here: Audio Research Reference 10 Company Letter | Dé Durob Audio blog – Le Blog de Durob Audio

The design, build quality and overall aesthetics are absolutely stunning. The new touch screen and overall new design characteristics are fabulous. The pictures don't do them justice. I absolutely love the new touch screen. The preamp is so configurable, from color to all normal audio preamp functions.

Although I only have about 6 hours on the preamp, let me give you my first impressions.

First off, this preamp is so musical. It casts the deepest soundstage I've ever heard. It has a beautiful flow to it, without being even the slightest bit slow. This preamp allows every recording (new, old, high res, vinyl, whatever) to achieve a level of completeness like I've never heard before. This preamp is so well balanced and presents a level of tonality which places it closer to a live performance than any other preamp I've ever heard.

Fleetwood Mac's Landslide starts with an acoustic guitar that reveals a level of tonality realism which literally gave me goose bumps. Norah Jones' voice was so real that I could swear she was in the room.

Clarity and resolution are at a level that makes many of my previous preamps seem broken, or highly veiled at best. At the finest level, this preamp exhibits control over music by placing each instrument in their own unique space. On Paul Simons Diamonds on the Soles of her shoes, each voice from the South African choir was unique.

When listening to Rod Stewart singing Fly Me To The Moon, the trumpet casts such a deep soundstage that I literally envisioned the trumpet player on a street corner about 50 feet away, up and off to the right.

This preamp is also very fast which likely has something to do with the monster tube power supply. It possesses such dynamics and control, while delivering a fluid and truly musical sound. I hear as much detail at a low volume as I do at higher volumes.

The ARC/Pass synergy is incredible, likely only bettered by an all ARC system. I would venture to guess that this is one of the best, if not the best Preamp on the market today. No, I have not heard every preamp, but I have heard a lot and this preamp is head and shoulders above anything I have ever heard.

I've always been a firm believer in a great preamp, and I have had many great preamps in my system, but nothing has taken my system to new heights like the ARC REF 10. Bravo Audio Research! Bravo!

[mbovaird]

More pics...

[mbovaird]

More pics....

[darkstar]

Originally Posted by mbovaird

More pics....

Mike, looks outstanding and I am sure it sounds even better.

At first, i really didn't like the look of the REF10- but I have to tell you its really growing on me.

Did you happen to previoulsy hear the REF40 and if so, can you share you thoughts as to how they compare?


Rich

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by darkstar

Mike, looks outstanding and I am sure it sounds even better.

At first, i really didn't like the look of the REF10- but I have to tell you its really growing on me.

Did you happen to previoulsy hear the REF40 and if so, can you share you thoughts as to how they compare?

Rich

I heard the anniversary edition at a dealer, but it was such a poor setup, I can't even begin to compare. He had it running into a multichannel AYRE amp (can you believe that?) and into some Wilson speakers (I will not say anything about the speakers because the setup was so bad). His source was almost as bad, I don't even remember.

Don't let the pictures fool you, the REF 10 is STUNNING - and I mean - STUNNING in person. If you've read any of my posts and if you knew me, you would know I call it like it is because I'm never married to gear. But let me tell you, the REF 10 is better than any preamp I've had in my system and better than any I have ever heard at dealers or at shows - by a mile. This preamp has me rethinking the old "order of importance - speakers, amp, preamp". I would put this preamp ahead of amp in the order. It is that good. I had 3 preamps on my Pass amps previously and none sounded anywhere near as good as this preamp. The micro detail, the tone, the overall musicality is head and shoulders above anything I've ever heard. It has a richness that cannot be described. It is that good. It is my opinion that this preamp can make a good amp sound like a super amp. I'm hearing layers and layers of detail. A deep deep soundstage. Sweet highs. Perfect bass. Rich midrange. Amazing.

The biggest surprise is how this preamp handles old recordings. Old Vinyl or digital recordings have new life.

Mike

[Masterlu]

Mike... Super Nice, enjoy your new ARC!

[Lunchy]

Wow, congrats on your new preamp! It's gorgeous and I'm sure it sounds amazing.

[Ritmo]

Mike,

Beautiful! I saw the Ref 10 at RMAF this year. Absolutely gorgeous.

Glad you are happy with the ARC sound.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Mike,

Beautiful! I saw the Ref 10 at RMAF this year. Absolutely gorgeous.

Glad you are happy with the ARC sound.

So did I. In fact, Mike, IIRC, we saw it together.

[cmalak]

Mike...congrats on the Ref 10 Just remember there will be ups and downs during the break-in period so do not feel discouraged when the "downs" come about.

I am guessing Joe will be ordering one when he sees your review, so there will be a minty Ref 10 up for sale at a great price 4 months from now Just joking Joe