Preview of ARC's Ref 250 monoblocks from The Audio Beat...

[gclpc]

About a year ago, I decided to put together an upgrade to my system for my home office. I started with the idea of a small tube integrated amp, and small bookshelf speakers such as the Cremona M's. This was to be used with a Clearaudio Performance table, a Logitech Transporter (connected with Purist Audio Proteus Provectus ic's) and Sedley Sonneteer phone stage.

Then things got out of control...

I replaced the Clearaudio Performance table with a Clearaudio Master Reference AMG with tangential arm, and assorted upgrades.

I found a wonderful deal on some Revel F52s, and matched it to a Mark Levinson 383. It didn't work for me.

I then replaced the Sonneteer with an Audio Research Ref Phono 2.

A custom audio stand designed and built by Grant Vandermye of Mye Sound fame (the Magnepan speaker stand guy), and matching amp stands came next.

The 383 was replaced with an Audio Research Ref 40, and a borrowed HD220, until the Ref 250's were released.

A Shunyata Triton was added a few weeks ago.

All power cables are Shunyata Anaconda CX's

Shunyata Anaconda speaker cables and ic's are ordered, but not received.

Also coming is a Koetsu Rosewood Signature

The receptacles are Shunyata SR-Z1's on 3 dedicated circuits.

I figure that this is not too bad for an office system...

(Smile)

[Dafos]

That's one hell of an office system! How big was the difference between the hd 220 and the ref 250? Also, maybe you should consider the latest iteration of the revel salons to complement such a great front end and amplification setup.

[Ritmo]

Welcome GCLPC. Nice progression!

There is an AA member selling 1 yr old pair of Revel Studio 2s for a great price. If you become an AA member, you'll be able to see the items for sale!

Thanks,
Mike

[cmalak]

gclpc....will you hire me as your office assistant?

Very nice "office" system . If that's what you have in your office, dare we ask what's in your main system?

Congrats on all the new gear.

[dmnc02]

gclpc ... when will you be receiving your Reference 250's?

[gclpc]

I have 3 other systems in the House. The main theater is a custom designed and built theater (for another thread), but the components are:

Anthem D2V Processor
Anthem P2 Amp
Anthem P5 Amp
Magnepan 3.6s with Mye Stands
Magnepan 1.6s with Mye Stands x 4
Magnepan CCR
Rel Studio III sub in PS Audio Soloist Receptacle
Rel Stadium III x 2 subi n PS Audio Soloist Receptacle
Mirage sub (forgot the model...) in PS Audio Soloist Receptacle
Infocus 777 Projector in PS Audio Soloist Receptacle
Stewart Grey Hawk 102" screen
Cambridge 640BD
Sony PS3
Custom Ultralink 2.4 Rel cables
Custom Ultralink 2.4 Speaker cables
Shunyata Anaconda CX power cables
Furman 20i Power Conditioner
Custom Amp Stands from Grant Vandermye

I probably have forgotten a few things...

The other systems are similar...

Greg

[gclpc]

Originally Posted by dmnc02

gclpc ... when will you be receiving your Reference 250's?

Probably about the 2nd week of September...

Greg

[Priaptor]

I too took the plunge. It seems every time I add an AR product to my system there is a synergy. I have Nola Baby Grands, started with just running a PS Audio DAC into my McIntosh MC2301s. Unfortunately I tried a Ref 5, which bled me, but what a difference.

I heard great things about the DAC8, tried it but it sucked. I kept hearing great things and took it back from dealer and tried it again. Again it sucked. A call to AR instructed me to open the case, redo the plug on the USB connector and I was blown away. What can I say.

Now the damn 250's come out, just as I was satisfied after comparing the MC2301s to the Ref 210s. Unfortunately, I heard the Ref 150, which again added an amazing synergy, so here I go again, draining my wallet, just sold my MC2301s and will soon have the REF 250s.

By no means am I denigrating the MC2301s. I had them for close to a year and do believe they are better than the 210s, the reason I bought them. But the 150 was amazing to my ears. I just decided to go all AR.

I am looking forward to it and hopefully will get even more synergy

[jwhite613]

Priaptor, Welcome to AA!!

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by Priaptor

I too took the plunge. It seems every time I add an AR product to my system there is a synergy. I have Nola Baby Grands, started with just running a PS Audio DAC into my McIntosh MC2301s. Unfortunately I tried a Ref 5, which bled me, but what a difference.

I heard great things about the DAC8, tried it but it sucked. I kept hearing great things and took it back from dealer and tried it again. Again it sucked. A call to AR instructed me to open the case, redo the plug on the USB connector and I was blown away. What can I say.

Now the damn 250's come out, just as I was satisfied after comparing the MC2301s to the Ref 210s. Unfortunately, I heard the Ref 150, which again added an amazing synergy, so here I go again, draining my wallet, just sold my MC2301s and will soon have the REF 250s.

By no means am I denigrating the MC2301s. I had them for close to a year and do believe they are better than the 210s, the reason I bought them. But the 150 was amazing to my ears. I just decided to go all AR.

I am looking forward to it and hopefully will get even more synergy

Welcome to AA Priaptor You have a great system
How would you compare the sound of the Ref 150s/250s to the earlier Ref 210s and the MC2301s? Thx