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Audio Research State of the Art Audio Reproduction |
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#11
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#12
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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. |
#13
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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& combination. I intend to add a REF6 at a later point when finances have recovered... |
#14
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#15
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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. |
#16
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- Dan Headphone rig: Gustard X16, Topping A90, Hifiman HE6se, Audeze LCD2 2-Channel setup: Okto Research DAC8 Stereo, Bryston 4B³, Philharmonic Audio BMR Towers, Dual PSA S152 subs |
#17
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When you've got everything together, post a pic or two in the D'AG or Wilson forum. We love pic's.
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Glenn... Canton Reference 9 Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 & MR88 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B, ST-J75 & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag |
#18
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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...
Last edited by Slange00; 01-24-2019 at 02:16 PM. |
#19
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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! |
#20
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Nhorton... Welcome to AA!
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
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