Ref10 vs 5SE question

[2fastdriving]

I can attest to the ref75 driving Sasha's with no problem. Plenty of headroom. I imagine the Alexia would be fine as well, I think they have similar loads and sensitivity.

[Priaptor]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

I can attest to the ref75 driving Sasha's with no problem. Plenty of headroom. I imagine the Alexia would be fine as well, I think they have similar loads and sensitivity.

I am sure it would work well with the Alexia. One problem with the REF75 is (like with me) getting people to try it as a replacement for it's bigger brothers. Few (including me) are willing to believe it is as good as I have found it to be. If you take a look at the Nola Concert Grands and look at the size of the subs built into the speaker it is amazing feat that this "little" amp not only drives these huge subs but maintains amazing balance, transparency and detail at the same time.

[pete6737]

As a new AA member and new to Audio Research I found this thread very interesting. I initially was looking in the budget of the LS27 and Ref 75. I was convinced after listening to the ref5se that I should just take a bigger bite and get the ref5se and the ref150. I cannot fathom how much better the ref10 could be. But I simply can't go that high in the chain! I do enjoy hearing about the comparisons between components though, so thanks for some great insight while I save for and daydream about my future audio purchase. Pete

[jpgr4blu]

There is little doubt that the Ref5se and Ref 150 combo is the value spot in the ARC reference line (assuming you are a little concerned about the 75 wpc of the Ref 75). The Ref 10 is better than the Ref 5se and by a margin that you can discern, but the margin of improvement might be in the range of 15 to 20 per cent overall for twice the cost.

[Priaptor]

Originally Posted by jpgr4blu

There is little doubt that the Ref5se and Ref 150 combo is the value spot in the ARC reference line (assuming you are a little concerned about the 75 wpc of the Ref 75). The Ref 10 is better than the Ref 5se and by a margin that you can discern, but the margin of improvement might be in the range of 15 to 20 per cent overall for twice the cost.

Having been through the multiple iterations of ARC, assuming your speakers can be optimally driven by the REF75 (few can't), IMHO, the best bang for the buck is the REF10/REF75 combo, better than a REF5SE/REF250 or REF5SE/REF150

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by Priaptor

Having been through the multiple iterations of ARC, assuming your speakers can be optimally driven by the REF75 (few can't), IMHO, the best bang for the buck is the REF10/REF75 combo, better than a REF5SE/REF250 or REF5SE/REF150

I think it's funny to say Ref10 has "bang for the buck".

If it's truly about bang for the buck, I think the Ref5 and Ref75 are the sweet spot, but even those components are out of reach for many people, unfortunately. Maybe the SP20 and Ref75 are better candidates. Depends on if you want more bang or more buck

[bvdiman]

Originally Posted by Priaptor

Having been through the multiple iterations of ARC, assuming your speakers can be optimally driven by the REF75 (few can't), IMHO, the best bang for the buck is the REF10/REF75 combo, better than a REF5SE/REF250 or REF5SE/REF150

+1

*The use of better preamp there should yield significant sound improvements.

[Bobvin]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

I think it's funny to say Ref10 has "bang for the buck". If it's truly about bang for the buck, I think the Ref5 and Ref75 are the sweet spot, but even those components are out of reach for many people, unfortunately. Maybe the SP20 and Ref75 are better candidates. Depends on if you want more bang or more buck

Hell, bang for buck, a used Ref3, Ref110 ought to provide enough musical truth for just about any of us. The rest is the search for the holy grail :-)

[Bobvin]

Bang for buck, a used Ref3/Ref110 ought to provide enough musical truth for any of us. The rest is just the search for the holy grail! That said, then Ref10/75 is, I think, what I will "settle in" with :-)

Oops, sorry for the dup post!

[bvdiman]

Originally Posted by Bobvin

Bang for buck, a used Ref3/Ref110 ought to provide enough musical truth for any of us. The rest is just the search for the holy grail! That said, then Ref10/75 is, I think, what I will "settle in" with :-)

Oops, sorry for the dup post!

Look forward to your possessing them and sharing the Gospel!

Are you planning on Alexia? If so, hopefully room is not too big, nor you like to frequently listen at/near concert levels.
We tried in medium/larger sized rooms with bass demanding materials - Ref150 barely cuts it, clipping on some passages. In this respect, the Ref250 clearly outshone them.