Rich's system (New Guy)

[MDP]

Originally Posted by New guy

Hi Mike,

I had the same concern about the Ref250 and Salon2 and spoke to Dave Gordon at ARC about it. He thought the Ref 250 would not have any problems with the Salon 2. I bought the Ref250 and Ref5SE without ever seeing them.

I have had them for about 14 months now and absolutely don't have any issue driving the power hungry Salon 2s. The amps have never shut down. My room is 25x18x10 but it's open to the rest of the floor. My listening level is moderate.

The ref250 and Salon2 combination has fantastic highs and mid/vocal. The bass is also pretty good, none of the flappy low end that I was expecting with tube amps.

The Ref5se and Krell Evolution are also a really good combination with deeper low end than Ref250.

I think the Ref 250 will work very in your fantastic system.

I have been wanting to demo a Ref 10 but I am a bit afraid of what I might hear.

Rich

Rich,what a beautiful system !!! Like Mike said, I'm seriously considering the REF 5se. What other preamps have you tried with the Salon 2's ?? The REF 250 must have more power than I thought if they drive your speakers.
congrats on a first rate setup !!!!



Mark

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by Amado

You should go to the ARC REF10

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

+1. The REF 10 is all world

[MC352]

Really nice set up!
Thanks for the pics.

[New guy]

Originally Posted by MDP

Rich,what a beautiful system !!! Like Mike said, I'm seriously considering the REF 5se. What other preamps have you tried with the Salon 2's ?? The REF 250 must have more power than I thought if they drive your speakers.
congrats on a first rate setup !!!!



Mark

Mark,

Thanks for the good words. I had the Pass Labs XP-10 and tried an Ayre KXR in my system before getting the Ref 5SE. The XP-10 is a very good unit given its price. If I was going solid state I would pick an Ayre KXR. I still think about getting one.

Rich

[Alki]

Great system. Your selection of gear is top notch and nicely matched.

[New guy]

Originally Posted by Amado

Afraid you keep it ?

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

Yep, that's what I am afraid of. You Ref 10 owners are bad influence .

I have 650 hours on my Ref5se so it just broke in and i am just beginning to enjoy it. It took me 15 months to get there. The Ref 250 has almost 400 hours.

Rich

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by New guy

Yep, that's what I am afraid of. You Ref 10 owners are bad influence .

I have 650 hours on my Ref5se so it just broke in and i am just beginning to enjoy it. It took me 15 months to get there. The Ref 250 has almost 400 hours.

Rich

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.?

[Amado]

Originally Posted by New guy

Yep, that's what I am afraid of. You Ref 10 owners are bad influence .

I have 650 hours on my Ref5se so it just broke in and i am just beginning to enjoy it. It took me 15 months to get there. The Ref 250 has almost 400 hours.

Rich

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

[MDP]

Originally Posted by New guy

Mark,

Thanks for the good words. I had the Pass Labs XP-10 and tried an Ayre KXR in my system before getting the Ref 5SE. The XP-10 is a very good unit given its price. If I was going solid state I would pick an Ayre KXR. I still think about getting one.

Rich

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 !

[Still-One]

Wonderful set-up and gear you have there. I am sure it sounds great too. Congratulations..