ARC REF 75 Power Cord Upgrade

[Priaptor]

Originally Posted by Picto

Priaptor,

Can you tell us which speakers you are listening to with the Ref 75 ?

I am interested to know this successful couple.

I am using the new Nola Concert Grands. These speakers are absolutely superb. I have owned many good speakers in the past but these are truly extraordinary; as they should given the price.

I had the Nola Baby Grand Series II prior to this where I found the REF250s superior. With the advent of lighter more efficient magnets in speakers these days as Nola is now using in their Reference series the REF75 shines and IMO really outclasses the REF250s.

When I first took delivery of the Concert Grands, while I knew better than to judge them until broken in I found them initially a little congested. I basically just let them break in with the REF250s, moved the speakers where they needed to be and began my evaluation. Placing the REF75 into my system was truly a surreal experience-none that I have ever witnessed.

My source is an MSB Diamond Plus into a REF10

[Picto]

Thank you Priaptor !

I am thinking about replacing my old ARC D70MKII... with the new REF75. So I feel concerned by the existing synergies between this amplifier and various speakers. According to Nola's website, the sensitivity of the Concert Grand Reference is 91 dB @ 2.82 volts with an impedance of 8 ohm (4 ohm minimum), which seems to me quite convenient and could be a significant part of the success.

[Priaptor]

Originally Posted by Picto

Thank you Priaptor ! I am thinking about replacing my old ARC D70MKII... with the new REF75. So I feel concerned by the existing synergies between this amplifier and various speakers. According to Nola's website, the sensitivity of the Concert Grand Reference is 91 dB @ 2.82 volts with an impedance of 8 ohm (4 ohm minimum), which seems to me quite convenient and could be a significant part of the success.

Yes I am sure it is. It is a fantastic combination I never could have imagined would sound as good as it does.

[tima]

Originally Posted by Priaptor

I am using the new Nola Concert Grands. These speakers are absolutely superb. I have owned many good speakers in the past but these are truly extraordinary; as they should given the price.

I had the Nola Baby Grand Series II prior to this where I found the REF250s superior. With the advent of lighter more efficient magnets in speakers these days as Nola is now using in their Reference series the REF75 shines and IMO really outclasses the REF250s.

When I first took delivery of the Concert Grands, while I knew better than to judge them until broken in I found them initially a little congested. I basically just let them break in with the REF250s, moved the speakers where they needed to be and began my evaluation. Placing the REF75 into my system was truly a surreal experience-none that I have ever witnessed.

My source is an MSB Diamond Plus into a REF10

That sure sounds like a nice system - and tube friendly speakers to boot! What do you find the Ref75 doing that the Ref250s did not?

[Priaptor]

Originally Posted by tima

That sure sounds like a nice system - and tube friendly speakers to boot! What do you find the Ref75 doing that the Ref250s did not?

I do not want anyone to think I am putting down the REF250s in my comments to follow as I owned them for a year and half and loved them.

My first foray with the REF75 on my Baby Grand Series II was not as good as my experience with the REF250s.

Nola is now using much lighter magnets in their drivers so they are capable of much quicker motion. Additionally if you look at the speaker there are 4 small woofers that move very quick covering most of the base with the exception of the lowest octaves being dealt with by the two subwoofers.

The REF75 with this speaker is giving me a sense of realism and soundstage I have never experienced in my life. Truly palpable and amazing. Bass is accurate, not overbearing with no overhang whatsoever. Timbre is perfect. Coherence is like I have never witnessed. I never would have thought such a small and "cheap" amp could do what it does on such a large speaker.

Listening to music now, for me is an experience no longer a "listening session".

I can't say how this amp will match with other speakers but I am truly amazed at how much better this amp works with the Concert Grands compared to the REF250s. Never would have dreamed it and actually didn't trust Carl when he first told me.

[tima]

Originally Posted by Priaptor

...

Listening to music now, for me is an experience no longer a "listening session".

...

Thanks - sounds like you've hit the mark. I think we'll all aiming for this sort of engagement and it's great to hear your enthusiasm!

[Picto]

Originally Posted by mg87

I have been pleased with Oyaide P/C-079 (Gold contacts) with an Acrolink PC 4030ii (copper). It really allows the soundstage to develop with wide/tall/deep presentation, solid detail but not analytical, excellent midrange, gives some added bloom to the (REF75) tubes. I originally chose this cable due to great write-ups and the simplicity of the cable. Some components don't always have the space to deal with 1m x 1" diameter ac cables and for a REF75 current draw the AWG is plenty. These can be cut and shortened to length in about 15 minutes. That feature and the sonic signature has out weighted the more complex AC cables that may require shipping to manufacturer for changes. The cable diameter is about 3/4" and the bend radius is good for tighter cable runs. I turnover a lot of gear and I like the cable management options here. Also, allows experimentation with terminations. The fine-tuning process has offered additional benefits.

mg87,

I would like to know how you made the connections between your power plug and the Acrolink 4030II cable.
In the Acrolink 4030II cable, there are a brass tape, an EMI absorbing thread and a silk thread.
Did you connect one of them to the earth pole of your power plug (towards the wall receptacle) ?
Have you any advice or any care to share for such a power cord mounting ?