ARC ref2 se phono stage

[tom]

Has anyone had the chance to compare the Ref 2 se with the Dartzeel (NHB-18NS) built in phono stage, or any other high end PS?
I have the original Ref2 phono and was wondering about upgrading.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by tom

Has anyone had the chance to compare the Ref 2 se with the Dartzeel (NHB-18NS) built in phono stage, or any other high end PS?
I have the original Ref2 phono and was wondering about upgrading.

Did not have the REF2 SE but my Shindo Giscours phono stage killed my REF2 phono and sent it to Norway.....

[microstrip]

Originally Posted by tom

Has anyone had the chance to compare the Ref 2 se with the Dartzeel (NHB-18NS) built in phono stage, or any other high end PS?
I have the original Ref2 phono and was wondering about upgrading.

The DartZeel phono is very good, but IMHO going from the REF2 to it is a downgrade. What is your preamplifier?

[tunes]

Depending on your cartridge, i would also likely recommend having a listen to a Tron Seven phono if you're in the market for a high end PS.

[tom]

Thanks for the replies.
I am using a BAT 52se preamp with the ref2 and it works very well.
Have investigated the Dartzeel a bit further, the uk list price is now $38k which makes it much less attractive.
I have heard very good things about the Tron, however it is single ended and my system is all balanced. Shindo does not really show up in the uk.
I might look more closely at the ref 2se and possibly the Whest ref V.

[lotus340r]

I have tried the ARC ref2 SE. I would recommend it if you like the ARC sound but I much prefer the Allnic H3000 .... more holography, more texture and more emotion. I would also put the Tom Evans Mastergroove ahead of it as well which I have recently had the pleasure of trying at home. The Whests (RDT SE and REFV) are not in the same ballpark as any of the above IMHO.

[Jerome W]

[="tom"]Thanks for the replies.
I am using a BAT 52se preamp with the ref2 and it works very well.
Have investigated the Dartzeel a bit further, the uk list price is now $38k which makes it much less attractive.
I have heard very good things about the Tron, however it is single ended and my system is all balanced. Shindo does not really show up in the uk.
I might look more closely at the ref 2se and possibly the Whest ref V.[/QUOTE]

Tom,

Balanced / Single ended should not dictate your choice.
They do not mean anything as to sound quality.
I went from a fully balanced system from source to power amps, including the REF 2 to a single ended one ( only my preamp has balanced outputs ) but the sound improved by a huge margin.
The Shindo Giscours preamp replaced my C1000P + my REF 2 preamps. It cost less than both my preamps.

They do not come out often, in any country if you want to find a used one, but when it comes out, you just have to "jump" on it.
Never heard the VR or the Masseto but I'm sure that both would also kick the REF2, SE or not !
And you can use Shindo preamps with any power amp.

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

[darkstar]

Originally Posted by Jerome W

Did not have the REF2 SE but my Shindo Giscours phono stage killed my REF2 phono and sent it to Norway.....

Jerome,

Just curious, did you use the Giscours in the same system as the REF 2 or what it used with your other shindo gear?

Thanks

Rich

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by darkstar

Jerome,

Just curious, did you use the Giscours in the same system as the REF 2 or what it used with your other shindo gear?

Thanks

Rich

Rich,
I used the Ref 2 during 2 months with my Giscours, the Ref 2 receiving the signals from 2 TT's. One day, I decided to try the phono stage of the Giscours, but without much hope. I was sure that the Ref 2 would be better.
But my jaw hit the floor. The Giscours was so clearly better that one hour after trying its phono stage, I knew that the Ref 2 would leave my home.
Finally getting the Giscours and selling the McIntosh C1000 and the Ref 2 has been a cost effective operation.

[jfrech]

Originally Posted by tom

Thanks for the replies.
I am using a BAT 52se preamp with the ref2 and it works very well.
Have investigated the Dartzeel a bit further, the uk list price is now $38k which makes it much less attractive.
I have heard very good things about the Tron, however it is single ended and my system is all balanced. Shindo does not really show up in the uk.
I might look more closely at the ref 2se and possibly the Whest ref V.

Hi I used to own a BAT VK51SE and I had a BAT VKP10SE Super Pak (all balanced) but preferred the Nagra VPS/VFS single ended into the BAT pre...I bought the Nagra and sold the BAT.

I agree with another poster, I wouldn't rule out single ended phono stages with your BAT pre...