Ref5se versus Mac2500 with vinyl

[New guy]

At the time of comparison I used M-XR and Krell FPB amps. I now have ARC Ref 250 and Krell Evolution amps. Speakers are Revel Salon 2. Sources are Esoteric K-03, ARC CD8 and Berkeley DAC 2. Preamp is REF 5SE.

[uwbadger]

Originally Posted by New guy

At the time of comparison I used M-XR and Krell FPB amps. I now have ARC Ref 250 and Krell Evolution amps. Speakers are Revel Salon 2. Sources are Esoteric K-03, ARC CD8 and Berkeley DAC 2. Preamp is REF 5SE.

How do you compare mxr vs ref250 with ref5se?

Thx!

[jbaudio68]

Originally Posted by uwbadger

I live in Wi but dislike Mn (vikequeens)!

Lots of Stickley furniture.

ayre dx-5, kxr, mxr, Vandersteen 5A, marantz 8801, Vandersteen vcc-5, Vandersteen vsm sig

Lol. Well then it is solved!

[New guy]

Originally Posted by uwbadger

How do you compare mxr vs ref250 with ref5se?

Thx!

The MXR didn't work well with Revel Salon 2. It sounded lean and lacked bass. The Salon 2s are not an easy load to drive so maybe it wasn't compatible.
I was very concerned that the Ref250 would not be able to drive the Salons too but it does so without issue.

The MXR was very clean and has extremely low noise. The ref250 is just a bit more enjoyable to listen.

Between the MXR and KXR, I was more impressed with the KXR. If I were to get a SS preamp, it would be the KXR.