Audio Research Pre with SS Amp

[jpgr4blu]

I had Ref 40 and Dag Momentums in my pad for a weekend. My favorite Tube/ss combo. Gives up very little to all ARC tube system in the mids, soundstaging and dimensionality, but it makes up for it in transparency (without typical ss stridency) and slightly better bass response. A great combo. At a cost, of course.

[STC]

Originally Posted by jpgr4blu

I have listened to Mac amps with ARC preamps for years in all different configurations including Mac 501 with Ref 3. I even owned a Mac 2102 and Ref 5 for about a year as I was switching from all Mac (C1000/2102) to all ARC. IMHO, ARC pre and Mac amp is not as good as all Mac or all ARC. Although the mix is not bad, it really in a way is the worst of both worlds. If you want smooth well rounded sound---go all Mac. If you want more transparent with an ability to hear closer to exactly what is on the recording---go all ARC.

+2

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by jpgr4blu

I had Ref 40 and Dag Momentums in my pad for a weekend. My favorite Tube/ss combo. Gives up very little to all ARC tube system in the mids, soundstaging and dimensionality, but it makes up for it in transparency (without typical ss stridency) and slightly better bass response. A great combo. At a cost, of course.

Pretty much mirrors my own considerations during my time A/B demoing Dag Momentum stereo, against ARC GS150 (dealer not having Ref250's available)

I was struck as much by the similarities as apposed to dissimilarities in overall presentation between the two units. In the end I went with the valve solution, as for myself, an slight yet perceivable additional harmonic and tonality with strung Accoustic instruments and a touch more organic liquidity in the mids and upper registers tipped it so.

I would have loved to have taken both!

[kngale1]

SS has come a long way. For backup and summer, I use a Hegel H30 and very happy with the SQ.

[nc42acc]

Currently using the REF5SE with a pair of Hypex Ncore NC400 monos. Great synergy.

[jpgr4blu]

Originally Posted by Harlequin

Pretty much mirrors my own considerations during my time A/B demoing Dag Momentum stereo, against ARC GS150 (dealer not having Ref250's available)

I was struck as much by the similarities as apposed to dissimilarities in overall presentation between the two units. In the end I went with the valve solution, as for myself, an slight yet perceivable additional harmonic and tonality with strung Accoustic instruments and a touch more organic liquidity in the mids and upper registers tipped it so.

I would have loved to have taken both!

I made the exact same observations. The similarities between the two were striking and much more evident than the differences. I decided back then that I would stick with my Ref 150 and purchase the Dag as an additional amp down the line changing the amps out from time to time for a change of pace. That was a few years ago. Now, I'm thinking of sinking greater funds in a move from Sasha to Alexia and Ref 150 to Ref 250s.

[Sharp 1080]

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Currently using the REF5SE with a pair of Hypex Ncore NC400 monos. Great synergy.

Hi Marty, I'm curious as to how long you have owned your monoblocks? I purchased a Ref5SE to add to my Theta Prometheus amps. I really like the combination.

[STC]

For the past few years, I have tried various combination with ARC pre & power amps; Pass Labs pre & power amps; various combination of mixture of Pass Labs (power amps) and ARC (pre amps); with different speakers Sonus Faber and Wilson Audio, with very very satisfactory results.

My current set up is ARC Ref 10 and Pass Labs (XA-160.8, 6 pcs) driving the Aida speakers (Tri-amp), I am very happy with the outcome

[ralf-11]

LS25MkII with a Bob Carver Sunfire Cinema Grand (an older one) bi-wiring Maggies (1.5QR - maybe soon to become 3.7i)

[bengal_finch]

i have driven my MBL 6010D my brother's rig, ARC 250se hi and Pass 350.5 low, bi amped Von shewcwart VR 5 with all nordost valhalla 2 cabling... oh my good lord, MBL just blew me off the ground compare with the ARC ref5 pre. wow.... MBL really drive ARC well my brother also admitted too. well ARC ref5 certainly is not a good match with gryphon Mephisto for sure. Is there any gryphon Pandora fan here !!! this amp just keep on surprising me with gryphon gear.