Will this be a worthwhile replacement for Ref40 ??

[cmarin]

Originally Posted by Kingsrule

Robert Koda

Kingsrule,

You know of what you speak. The Robert Koda K15 is an extraordinarily gorgeous sounding preamp, and Robert Koda a true artist.

[cleeds]

I really don't understand the angst and hand-wringing regarding the cost of vacuum tubes. It's like buying a high performance car, and then complaining about the cost of premium gas and speed-rated performance tires.

Let's face it: Tubes are a potential annoyance and they're not for everyone. It's not just the cost ... there's the occasional premature failure and noisy, defective or mismatched tube. It's all inherent, to at least some extent, when we choose tube-based gear.

[Frank750]

Over the last 4 or 5 years I've gone from the ARC Ref 40 to Pass XP30 to ARC Ref 10 to Pass Xs and finally back to ARC Ref 10. I loved the Ref 10 the first time around but wanted to get away from tubes and to a solid state preamp, thus the Xs pre. Liked the Xs a lot but once I inserted the Ref 10 back in I knew there was no turning back. Just a better fit for me in all aspects. The Xs is very, very good, the Ref 10 is spectacular.

And then a few weeks ago I re-tubed using Electro-Harmonix 6H30Pi Gold tubes in place of the ARC supplied Sovtek tubes and WOW!, what a jump in overall performance. Quite stunning what these tubes do for the Ref 10. I'm about to order the same package of tubes for the Ref 10 Phono as well.

I would suggest Toga spend a few hundred $$ and try the tube upgrade first before parting with the Ref 40. It is a great preamp and while the Xs is very good, I think he'll soon miss the Ref 40.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[analog brother]

very good advice!

[TOGA]

Thanks for all advises. I will get back to you when I have proper computer to type. I listened to XS Pre for a week, found many of its strength. Only higher than usual ssssss sound out of tweeter that I felt unacceptable. Almost go,for it, I have to add $1x,xxx after Ref40 trade in.

But once I put Ref40 back in the system. Then I think the extra $ needed is just not worth it. Ref40 is not anyway less enjoyable. And less noise. Now shall I try Ref10 ? But again, the money required will not worth the change I think. My Ref40 is with EH Gold pin 6H30 already FYI.

But I still have to try Ayre KXR20. I bet Ayon top of the line tube preamp will be competitive too. Only it lacks Theater pass thru XLR connection. Toga

[2fastdriving]

Toga, it's so fun to live vicariously through you!

[Harlequin]

Frank, You may have rolled there already? If not I would highly recommend replacing the stock 6550 regulators in your Ref10, I found that even Pre circa 2000 Winged =C='S were an improvment upon the factory supplied Sovtec, with NOS GE and Tung Sol's making the latter sound 'Glassy' Hard and 2 Dimensional in comparison.

Toga ain't listening

[TOGA]

I think what ARC pulls ahead is top treble where it extended like forever.. With XS somehow it's like Dolby engaged listened to cymbal despite It has lots of sssss noise. ARC provided some air or ambience around instrument,and this is what made it
Stay.

XS has a lot more slam, deep bass slam and weight. During movie, shot gun firing sounded so exciting.
It did phantom surround sound much better than ARC if the recording has this. I felt sound moved around the room with just 2 speakers. ARC did that too, but no way nearly as precisely as XS. Voice and midband of XS was also sounded outstanding and real, but more studio real rather than live. XP20 sounded light and lean by comparison, never heard XP30 though.
For value for money I think XP20 did it very well.

With such a large display it is a shame that Pass does not come with inputs renaming function. And as always, the unit doesn't operate exactly the way tue user manual says. My XP20 too, has this problem. The guy who wrote software didn't communicate well to the guy to wrote manual.

ARC consumes 200 watt when ON and. 0 when OFF.
XS consumes 80watt. 24/7. That is 7 Megawatt.hour in ten years !!! It is not designed to be OFF, it must kept warm all the time. The preAmp body is very warm. Think 80watt bulb inside a sealed metal body.

With lots of $ saved by returning XS, Magico Q7 MK II upgrade program is once again feasible. Actually I wanted to love it and wanted to buy it. But this proved how well the REF40 design stood the test of time.


Toga

[TLi]

Toga,

I would upgrade to Q7mkii regardless to what happens to preamp. If money dictates priority, I shall save up to first upgrade the speakers. There is more to gain than changing preamps.

Having said that, a NOS Tung Sol or GE 6550 for your Ref40 is a must for equipment at your level.

[TOGA]

Originally Posted by TLi

Toga, I would upgrade to Q7mkii regardless to what happens to preamp. If money dictates priority, I shall save up to first upgrade the speakers. There is more to gain than changing preamps. Having said that, a NOS Tung Sol or GE 6550 for your Ref40 is a must for equipment at your level.

Well, thanks what exactly are NoS Tung Sol or GE6550' where to find where to buy ?
Is the "C" after 6550 mandatory ?
And there are only two types of 6H30 right ? Dull gold plating and non-plating ? Nothing else ?

Then any chance anybody here compare ref40/ref10 to VTL 7.5MK III or VAC Master Series pre ?

Buying new preamp is easier as fund from selling old one helps, but upgrading Magico is a pure 44,000$ burden.
But that is interesting.


Toga