Rich's system (New Guy)

[New guy]

Originally Posted by mbovaird

Rich - can you describe the break in period for the REF 250? Did it yo-yo? Just steadily get better? Reach a new plateau at 50, 100, 300 hours, etc.?

Mike,

My Ref 250s are still breaking in so I can only tell you up to 400 hours. The amps were awful during the first 100 hours or so. It was very lean and hard sounding. I thought I had made a huge mistake buying these amps. The bass came alive around 150 hours or so. At around 200 hours, the amps started sounding pretty good - the highs and vocals were noticeably smoother. I think the amps sound pretty steady at this point up to 400 hours so far. At the rate I am going, it will take me two years to reach the 600 break-in period.

Rich

[New guy]

Originally Posted by MDP

As an XP 10 owner myself, how would you describe the differences between the XP 10 and the REF 5se ? I understand there is a huge price difference so please be honest !

Mark,

The Ref5SE has much better vocals and the overall soundstage is bigger. It just has more 3D like with better definition of space and placement of instruments.
$13k for the Ref5se is by no means inexpensive but there are many more preamps that cost much more and may not sound as good.

I have had the Ref5se for about 15 months and absolutely have no regrets buying it. I thought very briefly about the Ref 10 but $30K???

Rich

[MDP]

Originally Posted by New guy

Mark,

The Ref5SE has much better vocals and the overall soundstage is bigger. It just has more 3D like with better definition of space and placement of instruments.
$13k for the Ref5se is by no means inexpensive but there are many more preamps that cost much more and may not sound as good.

I have had the Ref5se for about 15 months and absolutely have no regrets buying it. I thought very briefly about the Ref 10 but $30K???

Rich

Thanks Rich, I'm pretty sure the REF 5se is my next pre, thank you for your help. I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't too bright sounding with the Salon's !!


Mark

[Amado]

Originally Posted by New guy

Mark,

The Ref5SE has much better vocals and the overall soundstage is bigger. It just has more 3D like with better definition of space and placement of instruments.
$13k for the Ref5se is by no means inexpensive but there are many more preamps that cost much more and may not sound as good.

I have had the Ref5se for about 15 months and absolutely have no regrets buying it. I thought very briefly about the Ref 10 but $30K???

Rich

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by New guy

Mark,

The Ref5SE has much better vocals and the overall soundstage is bigger. It just has more 3D like with better definition of space and placement of instruments.
$13k for the Ref5se is by no means inexpensive but there are many more preamps that cost much more and may not sound as good.

I have had the Ref5se for about 15 months and absolutely have no regrets buying it. I thought very briefly about the Ref 10 but $30K???

Rich

Sell MDP your REF5SE and get a REF10 from Amado? Naughty!

The REF 10 is in another league. It's the backbone of my system.

[JackeJill]

Wonderful!!!

Could you make me know differences between ARC CD8 and esoteric K-03 reading only the red book format ?

thanks,
Claudio

[Amado]

Originally Posted by JackeJill

Wonderful!!!

Could you make me know differences between ARC CD8 and esoteric K-03 reading only the red book format ?

thanks,
Claudio

The Esoteric is much better, sad to say it but I cant hide the truth

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by Amado

The Esoteric is much better, sad to say it but I cant hide the truth

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

Hmmm....coming from Mr. ARC himself....that's interesting.

Mike

[harri009]

Originally Posted by mbovaird

Hmmm....coming from Mr. ARC himself....that's interesting.

Mike

You guys are gonna make me get a second job

[Amado]

Originally Posted by mbovaird

hmmm....coming from mr. Arc himself....that's interesting.

Mike

😜