ARC Ref 6 with Jeff Rowland Amps

[kaarmstrong]

I am looking to replace my Classe CP-800 Preamp which I just sold. I am considering at this point ARC Ref 6 or Jeff Rowland Corus. I have Jeff Rowland amplifiers so the Corus seems to be a natural good choice but I am interested if anyone has use Audio Research preamp with a Jeff Rowland amplifiers. Is it a good match? As you can see in my signature my speakers are Aerial Acoustics 20T V2, primary source is BDP-2 but I have a Silenzio on the way.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thank you

[PHC1]

While I've never heard the ARC with JR amps so it is hard to say what the outcome may be in terms of synergy, I can tell you that more often than not, I have been disappointed with mixing and matching ARC components with other gear. ARC goes great with ARC, Jeff Rowland with Jeff Rowland. Not to mention the Chorus and 525 will look much neater together as a complete set.

[tima]

Originally Posted by PHC1

While I've never heard the ARC with JR amps so it is hard to say what the outcome may be in terms of synergy, I can tell you that more often than not, I have been disappointed with mixing and matching ARC components with other gear. ARC goes great with ARC, Jeff Rowland with Jeff Rowland. Not to mention the Chorus and 525 will look much neater together as a complete set.

Internal brand synergy is commonplace. Otherwise that says to me not a broad experience with Audio Research products.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by tima

Internal brand synergy is commonplace. Otherwise that says to me not a broad experience with Audio Research products.

You’re right, I’ve only owned about 6 ARC preamps and amps over the years up to and including Reference 40.

[tima]

Originally Posted by PHC1

You’re right, I’ve only owned about 6 ARC preamps and amps over the years up to and including Reference 40.

I've also had several pass through my listening room. Perhaps your experience is unusual. Mine says ARC gear has very broad compatibility with other manufacturers; Mcintosh being the prime exception. A quick look through one thread in this Audio Research forum finds people expressing satisfaction using a variety of ARC preamps with these amplifiers:

Moon W7M
Pass X350.5
Constellation Centaur Mono
Bryston 14BST
Atma-Sphere M60
Krell Evo amps
Accuphase Class A amp
Krell 750mcx monoblocks
Ayre MX-R mono blocks
Pass Labs Xs150
Threshold T-50 amps
GAS Son of Ampzilla
Gryphon Memphisto
Behringer DCX2496
Lamm M1.2
Pass XA160.5
Krell 302e
Classe 70 amp
Pass XA30.8
Atma-Sphere MA-1
Bryston 2.5 amp
Mark Levinson Class A
Ayre VX5
D'Agostino Momentum amps
Hypex Ncore NC400 monos
Bob Carver Sunfire Cinema Grand
Vandersteen M7-HPA mono amplifiers
Plinius SA-250 MKII amplifier

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by tima

Perhaps your experience is unusual.

Perhaps it is just me. I've found the synergy between ARC components to be stronger together than apart. That's not to say someone else would agree. As long as the owner/listener is happy, that's all that matters.

[jdandy]

Kyle.......One of the primary issues with mixing and matching preamplifiers and amplifiers from different manufacturers is impedance matching. In most cases preamplifiers have a low impedance output and work best into a high impedance input. The Audio Research Ref 6 preamplifier balanced output is 600 ohms. The Jeff Rowland 525 power amplifier input impedance is 40K ohms. Audio Research states in the Ref 6 specifications that 20K ohms minimum load and 2000pF maximum capacitance are the numbers to pay attention to. I suspect the 40K ohms input impedance on your Jeff Rowland 525 power amps will work quite well with the Ref 6. Keep your interconnect lengths as short as possible to help control total capacitance.

Having made that point, I am one who believes in component synergy that is often achieved when a manufacturer's components are used together. I believe that these components are optimized and voiced to mate perfectly with components from the same designer and manufacturer, particularly when it comes to preamplifiers and power amplifiers. In my opinion I believe the Jeff Rowland Corus preamplifier would mate well with your existing 525 power amps.

The Absolute Sound's Robert Harley had some good things to say about the Jeff Rowland Corus and the 725 power amps. You might be interested in reading his review. http://www.theabsolutesound.com/arti...ock-amplifier/

I don't think you can make a mistake with your two choices, yet I tend to believe the Corus would be the best way to go.

[kaarmstrong]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Kyle.......One of the primary issues with mixing and matching preamplifiers and amplifiers from different manufacturers is impedance matching. In most cases preamplifiers have a low impedance output and work best into a high impedance input. The Audio Research Ref 6 preamplifier balanced output is 600 ohms. The Jeff Rowland 525 power amplifier input impedance is 40K ohms. Audio Research states in the Ref 6 specifications that 20K ohms minimum load and 2000pF maximum capacitance are the numbers to pay attention to. I suspect the 40K ohms input impedance on your Jeff Rowland 525 power amps will work quite well with the Ref 6. Keep your interconnect lengths as short as possible to help control total capacitance.

Having made that point, I am one who believes in component synergy that is often achieved when a manufacturer's components are used together. I believe that these components are optimized and voiced to mate perfectly with components from the same designer and manufacturer, particularly when it comes to preamplifiers and power amplifiers. In my opinion I believe the Jeff Rowland Corus preamplifier would mate well with your existing 525 power amps.

The Absolute Sound's Robert Harley had some good things to say about the Jeff Rowland Corus and the 725 power amps. You might be interested in reading his review. http://www.theabsolutesound.com/arti...ock-amplifier/

I don't think you can make a mistake with your two choices, yet I tend to believe the Corus would be the best way to go.

Dan, Thank you for the well thought out reply. You make some very good points.
Unfortunately I have no means to demo or listen to either. Nor any other preamp so I appreciate the feedback.

[gadawg]

While I have quite the mix 'n match system ... without the ability to demo the pre's in question I would definitely agree with the group here and probably stay with the Jeff Rowland pre. I've been fortunate and been able to demo all the components in my system and usually a couple at a time so I know exactly what I'm getting. Good Luck!!

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Hi Kyle,

For the reasons Dan pointed out, the REF6 should work well with your Rowland amps. It is a terrific preamp and for this reason a lot of people mix and match the REF6 with other brands of amps. I’ve done this with my REF10 and Vandersteen 7 monoblocks and they sound wonderful. One important point, the REF6 needs 600 hours of break in for the capacitors before it smooths out. Make sure you have 600 hours before you make any evaluations.

Best,
Ken