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  #11  
Old 12-08-2010, 09:44 PM
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Well, that's what I sold to buy the ARC....



The REF definitely has more weight and more dimension in all three areas. Think of the VPS as a 330i and the REF as an M3!

here!
I was afraid you would say that!
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  #12  
Old 12-10-2010, 07:40 AM
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Howie, you really should not read reviews and listen to jeff.

It can end up friggin expensive
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  #13  
Old 12-10-2010, 11:24 PM
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Howie, you really should not read reviews and listen to jeff.

It can end up friggin expensive
No kidding. Having said I am perfectly happy with my analogue rig at the moment.
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  #14  
Old 12-18-2010, 07:24 PM
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Howie, you really should not read reviews and listen to jeff.

It can end up friggin expensive
Hey, this time, I'm following Howie's lead, with a new Acutus Ref and SME V on the way. My Christmas and birthday present to me!

Gotta move that Spiral Groove now!
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  #15  
Old 01-21-2011, 06:57 PM
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Smile REF Phono 2 review in this issue of TONEAudio
Hi

I see you had the nagra vps and now the ARC ref2 phono. I think also in the past you had a BAT p10se which I currently use with my kuzma XL4. I am looking at a new phono amp. Would you say the ref2 is where it is at at the moment - you did write nice things about the boulder 1008 recently. Over here, uk, the whest 30rdt se has been compared to the boulder and other high end stages.
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  #16  
Old 01-21-2011, 08:09 PM
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tom, Welcome to AA
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  #17  
Old 01-21-2011, 08:51 PM
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Hi

I see you had the nagra vps and now the ARC ref2 phono. I think also in the past you had a BAT p10se which I currently use with my kuzma XL4. I am looking at a new phono amp. Would you say the ref2 is where it is at at the moment - you did write nice things about the boulder 1008 recently. Over here, uk, the whest 30rdt se has been compared to the boulder and other high end stages.
Hi Tom:

I'd call it a dead heat in terms of sonics between the Boulder and the REF 2. The Boulder has a touch more "slam" and the REF 2 has a bit more midrange magic and three dimensionality than the Boulder - in my system.

The ultimate sound you would like to achieve would be the deciding factor. If your system is a little more analytical and forward, the Boulder might be too much of a good thing. If your system is a bit more on the warm and romantic side, the ARC might be too far in that direction.

Either preamplifier offers more resolution and a quieter background (resulting in more dynamic contrast) than the P10SE, which is still no slouch.

IT's even close with functionality. The ARC lets you configure both inputs gain and loading from the couch, while the Boulder demands you adjust the "personality cards", but the Boulder has a subsonic filter on the front panel....

Both let you switch between standard RIAA, Columbia and Decca EQ which is cool for classical music lovers.

It will also depend on your choice of cartridges too.

Bottom line, both the Boulder and the ARC REF 2 Phono are fantastic. If there's any way you can get a test drive, I'd suggest it. That being said, I may still end up buying a Boulder as well, because I need more than two phono inputs. That's my complaint with both of them, I wish they had three inputs!

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  #18  
Old 01-21-2011, 09:17 PM
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Jeff.......Let me compliment you on one of the best Publisher's Letters I have ever read. Your comments in issue 34 were classic, and right on the money.

Then I open the cover of the February edition of Stereophile to see the title of John Atkinson's monthly As We See It page. You guessed it, Music Matters. I just started laughing.
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  #19  
Old 01-22-2011, 01:50 AM
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Thanks!

I wondered why Atkinson looked so grumpy when I ran into him at CES! Who knew! I must admit, I thought it was pretty funny myself.

But in all seriousness, I do hope our competitors can figure out their own way to get more people excited about music again, because I sincerely think that is what it will take to pass on the love for high end audio to the next generation. Though the members of this forum do a pretty good job at keeping the high end mfrs. alive!!!

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  #20  
Old 01-23-2011, 01:07 PM
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Smile thanks for welcome
thanks Masterlu, pleased to find the forum.
Thank you also Jeff, for the info on the phono amps. I have enjoyed reading your reviews in Tone btw
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