ARC Break in thought

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Based on Mike's, Amado's and your comments, it appears that the Ref 10 does not need the typical ARC 600 hrs of break-in.

Unlike most other components I've owned, the REF10 started out good and just gets better. I haven't noticed any yo-yo effect. I will say, 40 hours was a better level and 100 hours even better. That being said, ARC still maintains a 600 hour break in is optimal. But, I'm thinking the absence of Teflon caps has had a helping hand in a more linear break in.

The toughest to break in in recent history was the DAC2X. That baby needed a good 200 hours. It had serious yo-yo for the first 200 hours. Now after 600 hours, it's constant and sounding terrific.

[Amado]

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Based on Mike's, Amado's and your comments, it appears that the Ref 10 does not need the typical ARC 600 hrs of break-in.

I don't imagine mine sound better than now
I love when a guest after a session saids : "NEVER HEARD THAT LIKE THAT BEFORE "
I wished more of you can have the privilege to hear the REF10, is intoxicating good.

[Cascais]

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Cascais - My 5SE is at 593 hrs - will get to 600 today (no doubt). Last night it was sounding sublime. Well worth the journey.

Ritmo, you should pop a bottle of champagne as the counter turns over to 600! I expect to be there in the not too distant future.

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by Amado

I don't imagine mine sound better than now
I love when a guest after a session saids : "NEVER HEARD THAT LIKE THAT BEFORE "
I wished more of you can have the privilege to hear the REF10, is intoxicating good.

I'm glad it's just not me! With no reviews out yet on the REF 10, it's nice to hear from other early adopters like you. When I put the REF 10 into my system it had such a profound affect. My other preamps were all varying shades of gray. The REF10 was like a bright white light shining on both macro and micro details which came to life with such vivid textures and tonality, detail and depth of stage. Simply put, it sounds bloody awesome!

[doggiehowser]

Originally Posted by turntable

Hi Doggie

I have a pair of the Rothwell rca 10db attenuator's. I found that transparency was definitely worse with them in the chain.
The Endler attenuator's were more transparent for sure and I used them until I sold the then flawed VTL 7.5 pre amp.

Maybe the balanced one's are better, or you are finding that bizzare "sweet spot" on the ARC volume control.

Cheers

I am using the XLR variants. I definitely don't find them getting in the way of the music.

I noticed that while the SPL with the Rothwells in and the ARC at 35 was about 70-78dB for one of the pieces I was listening to, and w/o the Rothwells, the SPL was ard the same level when the ARC was at 25, there was a tactile feedback I was getting with the Rothwells in place. I think that's the transient/dynamics part of it at play.

Also, the Rothwell XLR needs to be on the preamp input (not on the CD output). Not sure if the RCA needs the same type of hook up to work optimally.