Audio Research Pre with SS Amp

[audiohippo]

Originally Posted by 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

So an ARC pre with Pass amp is a good match?

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by audiohippo

So an ARC pre with Pass amp is a good match?

While I haven't personally tried it, I know a number of audiophiles who have with great success. Best bet is to borrow the ARC preamp and hook it up in your system. That's the only way you'll know for sure.

Ken

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

I'm running the ARC Reference 10 preamp with the Vandersteen M7-HPA mono amplifiers (300 watts RMS into 8 ohms; 600 watts into 4 ohms). These Vandersteen amps do have two small tubes for voltage gain in the input stage but the current gain in the output stage is achieved through solid state with bipolar transistors. The ARC-Vandersteen combination sounds absolutely wonderful with tremendous synergy. One of the main reasons is the Vandersteen amps are voiced with ARC preamps.

Best,
Ken

[Mikeoz]

I use a Ref5se paired with a Krell 302e driving Wilson Sophia 2. Overall very happy with the sound but I have a large room (30' x 19' L shape) and find the bass a bit light.
Changing the speakers is an option (but an expensive one and I love the Sophias) ... any thoughts on whether a change to a larger SS power amp (thinking 402e or similar) would have a positive effect ?
I though about a sub but it seems like overkill and the wife is not keen on more boxes.

[jpgr4blu]

I don't think more power is the issue. Nor is there an impedance mismatch between your pre and amp. I've heard Sophias produce excellent base with 100 to 150 wpc (and those are tube watts) with a Ref 5, let alone a Ref5se which has more palpability and deeper and better base than the Ref 5. Are the speakers out in the middle of the room? The base performance is best with rear enforcement from the wall behind them especially if the nearest rear edge is 1 to 1 1/2 feet away from the wall------ as long as the speakers are in the zone of neutrality as defined in the manual. If none of that works for you and cabling is not an issue, then Sophias may not be for you.

[Mikeoz]

Thanks that's very helpful and good to know. My gut tells me a larger speaker might be the answer, the Sophias are about 18" from the front wall - although I really like the overall sound so may just live with it

[randyhat]

I have an LS-15 line stage that I run with a Bryston 4bsst2. Seems to be a very good match. The LS-15 was modded a few years ago by Great Northern Sound and has NOS tubes. The Bryston is very neutral...so was the original LS-15. The modded version adds just a bit of tube bloom and presence that compliments the precision of the Bryston. I have been listening to this combo for some time.

[jpgr4blu]

Mikeoz:
You might want to try to move the speakers up to 6 inches closer to the wall if you have not done so already. Also, different height on spikes have different effects on bass. If you have tried all of that, there is nothing left to do.

[essjay]

I got to compare a ref 150 to my Ayre VX5 the other weekend using my ARC Ref 3 and to be blunt there is not much in it, both sound very good.

Perhaps the 150 was a little better with softer female vocals, strings and wind instruments where as the vx5 had better grip and bass, therefore better for rock and EDM etc...

IMHO I could easily live with either however the VX5 has a MUCH lower noise floor and the heat off the 150 noticeably upped the room temp.

I would like to have both, one for winter and one for summer but that itch is not allowed to be scratched just yet.

[salmtpa]

I'm running an LS26 with Mac MC402. Just posted other impressions in the thread looking for LS26 opinions.