from McIntosh to ARC

[Dsholl1]

Hi everyone.

Just curious if anyone moved from Mac to ARC especially regarding preamps?

Having heard the new ARC Ref 6 preamp compared to the C2500, I have to say, I am blown away.

Any members experiences would be greatly appreciated.

[audiohippo]

C220/MC501s to ARC. Very happy.

I did look at the C1100/MC601 combination, but still preferred the ARC.

What speakers?

[Superfrg]

C2500 to Ref5SE here.

I was very happy I made the move, the C2500 is a good preamp that looks stellar, but the Arc reference products are for me in another League in every way.

[cleeds]

Mac makes some excellent products - including preamps. But I think the ARC preamps are better. For example, I don't think anything Mac makes competes with a Ref5SE, Ref 6 or the Ref Phono preamps.

[rscotth]

I went from c2300 to ARC Ref5se and MC501's to ARC Ref250's and have never looked back. I prefer the ARC sound over McIntosh sound. YMMV

[audioguy3107]

Originally Posted by rscotth

I went from c2300 to ARC Ref5se and MC501's to ARC Ref250's and have never looked back. I prefer the ARC sound over McIntosh sound. YMMV

Hey Scott - What were some of the main differences and pros/cons that you heard making the switch? I've often thought that that's probably one of the roads I would be exploring if I decided to move on from the McIntosh gear that I enjoy now. I've often thought about exploring a Reference 5SE (or 6 now) along with the Reference 150 or possibly even the 250 monoblocks if my loudspeakers called for it. I would think that unless you wanted to explore the stratosphere with brands such as Soulution, Dartzeel, MBL, Boulder, etc... that would get you about 97% of the way there. Law of diminishing returns would really begin to kick in at those prices.

- Buck

[MisterBritt]

Interesting thread. I have been contemplating something similar. I currently have the McIntosh 60th Anniversary set, C-22 preamp and MC75 amps. I have pulled and sold my McIntosh CD player and am simply playing vinyl.

I am contemplating adding an AR phono section to augment my vinyl experience. So initially at least, I would be using the McIntosh preamp and amps but with an AR phono running through the auxiliary section of the C-22. Anyone done anything like that?

[audioguy3107]

Originally Posted by MisterBritt

Interesting thread. I have been contemplating something similar. I currently have the McIntosh 60th Anniversary set, C-22 preamp and MC75 amps. I have pulled and sold my McIntosh CD player and am simply playing vinyl.

I am contemplating adding an AR phono section to augment my vinyl experience. So initially at least, I would be using the McIntosh preamp and amps but with an AR phono running through the auxiliary section of the C-22. Anyone done anything like that?

Mister Britt - I'm currently doing the exact thing.....I had a Manley Chinook phono preamp that I was using with my C2300. Sounded nice......I jumped on the opportunity to grab a ARC Reference 2 Phono SE when the price dropped due to it being discontinued. It's a fantastic piece......hard to believe they can improve on the Ref 2, but it was a significant step up from the Manley piece which has received rave reviews. As far as compatibility, there's no problems at all with my Mc preamp and the Ref 2.

- Buck

[MisterBritt]

Originally Posted by audioguy3107

Mister Britt - I'm currently doing the exact thing.....I had a Manley Chinook phono preamp that I was using with my C2300. Sounded nice......I jumped on the opportunity to grab a ARC Reference 2 Phono SE when the price dropped due to it being discontinued. It's a fantastic piece......hard to believe they can improve on the Ref 2, but it was a significant step up from the Manley piece which has received rave reviews. As far as compatibility, there's no problems at all with my Mc preamp and the Ref 2.

- Buck

Excellent. Yes, that is exactly what I was wondering about. I too have looked at the Manley phono section but have been leaning more toward the AR. Thanks.

MORE: I am interested to discover that the Manley was bested by the AR Ref 2, itself bested handily by the AR Ref 2 SE. But the main thing is that I want to get the best bang for the buck in the phono section.

[audioguy3107]

Originally Posted by MisterBritt

Excellent. Yes, that is exactly what I was wondering about. I too have looked at the Manley phono section but have been leaning more toward the AR. Thanks.

One thing to keep in mind is the gain of your cartridge of course......the ARC Ref 2's high gain setting is significantly higher/louder than the Manley.....I always thought the Manleys high gain was a little light for my Dynavector. The ARC's high gain setting is just right for my XX2 mk II. Of course if you have a higher gain cartridge you may be able to get away with the lower gain settings, but the low gain is pretty low for many MC cartridges.
- Buck