Ref 75SE a good match with Wilson Yvette?

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Indeed, that is a relatively 'small' listening space that should be easily filled with the Yvettes & 75SE. You should ask your dealer to let you audition with the 150SE if you think they may need that much power. Failing that, make a deal with him that you can return the 75SE with full credit towards a 150SE within 90-days, or whatever time you feel you need to decide.

agree with Glenn, that's the deal if you can get it.

[GSOphile]

Good advice, Jakegt3.

One additional note. Stereophile reviewed the Ref 75 (not the SE version) May 2013. Their measurements showed 61 wpc 4 ohm load, 43 wpc 8 ohm load.

[Slange00]

This forum is fantastic! Thank you all for your help and input! As you all put it, there is no substitute to actually auditioning gear.

I spent several hours doing a head2head comparison of the ARC REF75SE and D'Agostino Progression Stereo (as well as a Linn Klimax Twin that was on site) using Yvettes and the dcs Bartok at my dealer (same speaker cables, same room, same speakers, same tracks). The amps were fed directly from the dcs most of the time, but we also pulled in the REF6 at the end to get a sense of the impact an amazing pre would make.

The REF75SE did exceedingly well against the Linn, much more organic sound, far superior sound stage, more transparency and a surprisingly definitive advantage on low and mid bass response. It matched the Yvettes quite well and was very lively and engaging to my ears.

When comparing the REF75SE against the DAG Progression Stereo, the tables turned. Predictably the progression stereo had significantly better bass rendering, clarity and response, generally digging lower, while delivering superior dynamics as well as slightly better imaging. What surprised me however was that mids and highs generally were ( to my ear, in that setup and room) more musical and more richly rendered on the progression stereo amp compared . The voicing and harmony between that amp and the Yvette's seemed to gel more , especially when listening to classical tracks and highly dynamic electronic music.

That being said, the REF75SE more than held its own, and surprised me especially on bass response and definition.

I realize this is an ARC forum, so please dont crucify me, but I ended up ordering the progression amp after being offered a great deal on it. I hadnt intended to spend that much on an amp but I fell in love with that speaker&amp combination. I intend to add a REF6 at a later point when finances have recovered...

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by Slange00

This forum is fantastic! Thank you all for your help and input! As you all put it, there is no substitute to actually auditioning gear.

I spent several hours doing a head2head comparison of the ARC REF75SE and D'Agostino Progression Stereo (as well as a Linn Klimax Twin that was on site) using Yvettes and the dcs Bartok at my dealer (same speaker cables, same room, same speakers, same tracks). The amps were fed directly from the dcs most of the time, but we also pulled in the REF6 at the end to get a sense of the impact an amazing pre would make.

The REF75SE did exceedingly well against the Linn, much more organic sound, far superior sound stage, more transparency and a surprisingly definitive advantage on low and mid bass response. It matched the Yvettes quite well and was very lively and engaging to my ears.

When comparing the REF75SE against the DAG Progression Stereo, the tables turned. Predictably the progression stereo had significantly better bass rendering, clarity and response, generally digging lower, while delivering superior dynamics as well as slightly better imaging. What surprised me however was that mids and highs generally were ( to my ear, in that setup and room) more musical and more richly rendered on the progression stereo amp compared . The voicing and harmony between that amp and the Yvette's seemed to gel more , especially when listening to classical tracks and highly dynamic electronic music.

That being said, the REF75SE more than held its own, and surprised me especially on bass response and definition.

I realize this is an ARC forum, so please dont crucify me, but I ended up ordering the progression amp after being offered a great deal on it. I hadnt intended to spend that much on an amp but I fell in love with that speaker&amp combination. I intend to add a REF6 at a later point when finances have recovered...

Congratulations, of course the D'ag is great. But The progression stereo retails for twice that of the Ref75SE. It wasn't really a fair fight in my opinion. If you are adding a Ref6 anyway, maybe it would have made more sense to go with (or at least audition) the Ref150SE? Plus, the GS150 can be had used for about 8 grand, and that would be a great comparison with the progression as well.

[Slange00]

I completely agree, its wasnt a fair fight.

I should have been more clear about my background motivation here: My goal was to see if the differences were small enough to me so I could save on my budget while living with the potential issues of having tube gear coexist with my little kids at home and the risks of accidental fast power cycling, little fingers on tubes etc etc. This is the system that will be in daily use for TV watching in addition to serious music listening

The potential savings of the REF75SE over DAG gear would have made these potential risks worth it. Stepping up to a REF150SE, given the deal on the DAG unit I got, wouldnt have made it that worthwhile.

More of personal, life situation calculus than a fair comparison.

[DVass13]

Originally Posted by Slange00

I realize this is an ARC forum, so please dont crucify me, but I ended up ordering the progression amp after being offered a great deal on it. I hadnt intended to spend that much on an amp but I fell in love with that speaker&amp combination. I intend to add a REF6 at a later point when finances have recovered...

A new DAC and a new amp? That must have been one heck of a demo! Not to derail this thread any further, but what will be the next addition? The REF6? Upgraded speakers? Perhaps new cabling for all?

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by Slange00

I realize this is an ARC forum, so please dont crucify me, but I ended up ordering the progression amp after being offered a great deal on it. I hadnt intended to spend that much on an amp but I fell in love with that speaker&amp combination.

Of course, none of us could possibly forgive you for your solid-state/tube & ARC/D'AG transgression. However, on the upside, congratulations on your new amp. You've obviously made the right move in that you went with what sounds best to your ears/budget/life situation. May you and yours live happily ever after.

When you've got everything together, post a pic or two in the D'AG or Wilson forum. We love pic's.

[Slange00]

Originally Posted by DVass13

A new DAC and a new amp? That must have been one heck of a demo! Not to derail this thread any further, but what will be the next addition? The REF6? Upgraded speakers? Perhaps new cabling for all?

Ha! yes it was an impressive demo, but I was looking to make some upgrades either way. I was able to do some decent trade ins to allow me to afford these changes, but yeah much as i would love the REF6 or Progression preamp , that will have to wait...

[Nhorton]

Slange00 - you have had a lot of posts on amp pairings with Wilson's. I just bought some Sabrina's and have had the experience of a Benchmark AHB2 sounding godawful with them and am now trying to choose a better mate. Would you mind posting your overall experiences somewhere? Frankly, you seem to be an expert on the pairings at this point.

Thanks!

[Masterlu]

Nhorton... Welcome to AA!