Las night my DS450Ms hit the 600 hrs mark!!!

[Harbapapa]

I should have arranged a party but this party was just for my self .

My systems consists of Audio Research Ref 8 cd-player, Ref 3 preamp, DS450M monos and Magnepan 20.7 speakers. Speakers are fairly new and purchased at the same time as DS450M monos, so I can’t really say which feature in the end comes from which. My previous speakers were 20.1s so difference may not been so significant as it would be when changing to another type or size of speaker. My previous poweramps were Bel Canto ref1000m and before that ARC Ref110.

Last night my DS450M monos hit the 600 hrs mark. I had a wonderful listening experience with them. After my cd-player and preamp had been on for an hour things just kept going and going. I was drawn to the music and (even I’m a male) almost tears came to my eyes. I was listening wonderful Melody Gardots new album and it was hard to just sit in a listening seat without jumping up and start dancing (and I don’t even like dancing that much!).

Another album I was listening was ” Hirundo Maris - Chants du Sud et du Nord”, a great ECM recording recorded in a monastery. Great atmosphere and space. Nice soprano signing. ARC was producing a huge soundstage. If I had turned lights off I would have been taken to another time and space (that's also what Magnepans do!).

Treble is extended but there is nothing irritating. Bells and cymbals are sharp and clear. I kind of feel that this ARC / Maggie combo is even better in image focus than some electrostats and amps. Let me explain. Electrostats and some solid state amps may produce sounds sharper but I feel that they don't give instruments and voices that three dimensionality that Maggie and ARC gives. You kind of "see" the instrument in their three dimensionality and this makes them appear more realistically. I believe that this three dimensionality comes partly from my cd and preamp and DS450M doesn't seem to reduce that effect. I can just imagine what it would be with an amp like ARC Ref250! By the way, there seemed to be an interesting combo in CES, DS450M with Ref250 in biamped system!

Mids are clear and overall balance is very good. Nothing is jumping out to disturb listening experience. Bass is fast and also "in place" in a way that it is not too powerful. It gives the hole presentation a good base and the very low bass just comes out like "earth sounds" if you know what I mean.

DS450Ms are a good solution for me as I can't keep big hot tube power amps lying on floor. As far I haven't noticed anything in sound that I would be missing with these. Maybe tube glow and fragrance of hot tubes, but I get them from my cd and preamp! I can just recommend DS450Ms to anyone who is not afraid of these D-class amps!

[stereotek]

Wow, it seems that you're having a great time with your Arc gear. After 600 hours would you buy another Arc?

[Kingsrule]

Interesting report
Hardly any talk about the DS450M's anywhere. I wonder why? Must be the D Class.

[Harbapapa]

Originally Posted by stereotek

Wow, it seems that you're having a great time with your Arc gear. After 600 hours would you buy another Arc?

Well, my next goal is Ref5se, if that answers your question...

[joeinid]

Congratulations!

The DS450M's must be wonderful. It's a great feeling when you can experience gear settling in and coming into their voice.

[Ritmo]

Harbapapa,

Congrats on reaching 600 hrs!

I have the stereo version of the DS450. Your experience with them sounds familiar to me.

I added the Ref 5SE to my system last year. It raised the performance to a different level.

Lastly, the DS450s have not received a lot of press. Interestingly, last year I called ARC and spoke with Calvin about the 450. He told me that it has been a very good seller for ARC.

[Albikes]

Sounds like a wonderful evening Harbapapa! Thanks for sharing!

Albikes

[TMcD]

Nice work, 600 hours is when the magic really starts.

I also had a wonderful night of listening last night as my latest ARC piece continues to break in.

[bakerman]

It nice to hear that you're enjoying the DS450's. I think it is a Class-D thing as to why they don't get much mention. It's nice to hear good things about them. Enjoy!

[Amado]

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