REF 150 in the house

[Clarifixer]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Cyril has hit it on the head--the ARC Ref 5SE is the only preamp on my list because of the synergy within their line. ARC want $3100 to upgrade the Ref 5 to SE status, so I'm not sure how that will work out when I'm ready to commit.

Replacing my current Classé CP-35 preamp should be another giant step up, but I'm thinking speakers will be first. My Snell C4's are definitely holding back the possibilities of the REF 150.

Karl, I listened to the Vandersteen Quatro Wood units and found them to be very good. Don Better just happens to have a slightly used pair that might get the nod. I know they must be set up correctly to be optimized, and my room certainly point that out.

Another possibility is the Aerial Acoustics 7T which I am going to audition next week in Cincinnati. Dan, the Bryston Model T speakers sound very promising as well, and there is a dealer in town who will certainly get a visit soon.

Any other suggestions in the under $15K speaker category? Whee!!

[thesaint519]

Originally Posted by Clarifixer

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Cyril has hit it on the head--the ARC Ref 5SE is the only preamp on my list because of the synergy within their line. ARC want $3100 to upgrade the Ref 5 to SE status, so I'm not sure how that will work out when I'm ready to commit.

Replacing my current Classé CP-35 preamp should be another giant step up, but I'm thinking speakers will be first. My Snell C4's are definitely holding back the possibilities of the REF 150

Karl, I listened to the Vandersteen Quatro Wood units and found them to be very good. Don Better just happens to have a slightly used pair that might get the nod. I know they must be set up correctly to be optimized, and my room certainly point that out.

Another possibility is the Aerial Acoustics 7T which I am going to audition next week in Cincinnati. Dan, the Bryston Model T speakers sound very promising as well, and there is a dealer in town who will certainly get a visit soon.

Any other suggestions in the under $15K speaker category? Whee!!

Wilson W/P 8 or Sophias on the used market. Wilson and ARC mate very well.

[Bavarian05]

Wow.

Now THAT'S how you upgrade!

Nice choice. enjoy!

[TMcD]

Congratulations on a fantastic amp. A Ref 5 would be a great match.

[Ritmo]

Originally Posted by Clarifixer

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Cyril has hit it on the head--the ARC Ref 5SE is the only preamp on my list because of the synergy within their line. ARC want $3100 to upgrade the Ref 5 to SE status, so I'm not sure how that will work out when I'm ready to commit.

Replacing my current Classé CP-35 preamp should be another giant step up, but I'm thinking speakers will be first. My Snell C4's are definitely holding back the possibilities of the REF 150.

Karl, I listened to the Vandersteen Quatro Wood units and found them to be very good. Don Better just happens to have a slightly used pair that might get the nod. I know they must be set up correctly to be optimized, and my room certainly point that out.

Another possibility is the Aerial Acoustics 7T which I am going to audition next week in Cincinnati. Dan, the Bryston Model T speakers sound very promising as well, and there is a dealer in town who will certainly get a visit soon.

Any other suggestions in the under $15K speaker category? Whee!!

If you are in the $10K speaker price range, I would strongly recommend the NOLA KOs. This speaker sounds terrific with ARC. I heard it several times during RMAF last year and it was fantastic. It was being demoed with ARCs Ref 5SE, Ref CD8 and Ref75.

[Clarifixer]

Originally Posted by Ritmo

If you are in the $10K speaker price range, I would strongly recommend the NOLA KOs. This speaker sounds terrific with ARC. I heard it several times during RMAF last year and it was fantastic. It was being demoed with ARCs Ref 5SE, Ref CD8 and Ref75.

Thanks for that--they have been mentioned before, but I just never got around to researching them. I just read as many review as I could find, and the consensus seems to be that they are almost holographic in their depiction of real sound.

Okay, yet another to audition. Ah, sweet agony.....

[Ritmo]

It's part of the journey!

[Priaptor]

As a long time owner of NOLAS and ARC gear i can guarantee you will love the synergy.

Truly a great combination.

Another great breakthrough for me was finding MG Audiodesign Cables which work so well with the combination and will not break your bank account, far from it and will outperform most other cables when used with Nola + ARC gear.

[joeling]

Welcome to the club !

[Clarifixer]

Originally Posted by Priaptor

As a long time owner of NOLAS and ARC gear i can guarantee you will love the synergy.

Truly a great combination.

Another great breakthrough for me was finding MG Audiodesign Cables which work so well with the combination and will not break your bank account, far from it and will outperform most other cables when used with Nola + ARC gear.

These have just come on my radar as well. Reviews are gushingly good. Which cables do you have? With the interconnects, some reviewers say the Planus AG is a bit more detailed than the Planus CU2 but not as warm with certain systems. Did you have experience with that?