Ref 250/RefPhono2SE/Linn LP12 SE/Radikal...Magic

[chessman]

Originally Posted by enatai252

SME 20/3 showed up at dealer today. Is being set up for me and I will demo with 2 cartridges that I have

A Lyra Titan i which was on the 20/2 or a Benz Ebony LP

Will take a listen to both and should have the table home by Friday..

Only 20 hours on the Ref Phono SE...but finding it hard to stop listening.

That's easy - don't stop!

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by tima

It has a ways to go. It may be crazy, but I heard faint but real improvement even after 400 hrs - that's on the original non-SE version, but no reason to think the SE will take any less and it could take more. But hey - the upside is that its all upside - from where it is now it will keep getting better!

I agree !

BTW, who are the REF PHONO 2 owners who will take the upgrade route towards the SE ?

[BlueChiaro]

Originally Posted by enatai252

SME 20/3 showed up at dealer today. Is being set up for me and I will demo with 2 cartridges that I have

A Lyra Titan i which was on the 20/2 or a Benz Ebony LP

Will take a listen to both and should have the table home by Friday..

Only 20 hours on the Ref Phono SE...but finding it hard to stop listening.

Congrats on the new SME...adding to the stable. Enjoy!

[enatai252]

I believe I received the 3rd one made...The Ref 5 SE on order should be shipping in 2 weeks. The Ref Phono is incredible...

I really think ARC has...with their latest product line-up...hit it out of the park

[Dafos]

Enatai, I keenly await your comparison between the Benz ebony lp and the Lyra Titan. I replaced a Lyra Skala for a Benz LpS but have been wondering how it compares to the top of the line Titan.

[enatai252]

Originally Posted by Dafos

Enatai, I keenly await your comparison between the Benz ebony lp and the Lyra Titan. I replaced a Lyra Skala for a Benz LpS but have been wondering how it compares to the top of the line Titan.

I am picking up the SME 20/3 today. I will have the Lyra Titan i on the arm. To clarify, the Benz Ebony LP is not the LP-S version. Its an 8 year old model that I bought when I originally bought the SME 20/2. I purchased the Lyra Titan 2 years ago and it has been on the 20/2 ever since. As discussed, I listened to both on the new 20/3. The Benz LP excels in the midrange and has a warmth and bloom that is majical. Not colored...but there is less extension in the lows and highs. I could happily live with this cartridge and plan to keep as its so easy to swap. The Lyra Titan i is by comparison...more extended at the extremes and more dynamic. It seems to excel in transparency and extension. It is musical(not sounding etched or clinical) and provides a much clearer view of the performance and pinpoint imaging. Like I said...I will keep both...but to start the Lyra gets the call. I do plan on comparing the the SME with the new LP 12SE setup I also just purchased. The Linn currently sits on a HRS M3X base that is set up for its weight...HRS is sending me an extra set of feet for the base...and the torque tool...so that I can change the M3X to accomodate the heavier SME easily.

[enatai252]

Here are some pictures of my 2 new turntables. You can see the two side by side...by I have not compared them yet....going to let both break-in. I took some pictures to show difference in the 20/3 platter over the 20/2 (tinge of sadness as I packed the 20/2 up). You can also see where the new Ref 250s landed...and a picture of the Ref Phono 2 SE (the shiny buttons) and Radikal PS for the Linn

see link below

http://gallery.me.com/npdomino#gallery

[vintage_tube]

That link is a no go -- asks for an apple login/password

Bob

[enatai252]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

That link is a no go -- asks for an apple login/password

Bob

This link should work


MobileMe Gallery

[vintage_tube]

That link did the trick. Very nice & well done. Great gear.

Bob