ARC is freakin expensive.

[Sea music]

Originally Posted by Mouse

How far apart is foundation from reference?
Is this a rule of diminishing returns and they are pretty close?
Or are they completely in different leagues?

I won't be able to hear both in the same room, unless I see them again at RMAF again.

I honestly do not know. I have demo the Reference 75se in my home. I very
much liked what I heard. I had to run it thru my Mc2600 preamp to use the
Dac in the preamp. I think there is even a larger difference in preamps. I have
listened to all Arc setups in the store. Again very good sound. Unfortunately
my local dealer does not have the Foundation series in stock for demo. I went
all Mcintosh because at the time it was a large jump to Ref6, Ref75se combo.

If I was starting over I would take a series look at the Foundation amp and preamp. Are the Reference series in a different league?They are to the person who has upgraded
the rest of their system. Keep in mind how much it costs to balance the rest
Of the system to get all that a Reference series has to offer. For me I feel I
have a good cost balance with the Mcintosh. I am a little afraid to “borrow”
a Ref6 as it might cause an expensive chain reaction!!