Incoming

[George47]

Well chaps total confusion reigns here. I listened and listened and the Krells edged it for me, so that was the choice.

Now the confusion.....I am listening to a used LS17 plus VS110 with KT120s and it is doing it for me......

The Krell has the dynamics, the power and attack. But the ARC set up paints the big picture well with a lot of the details and although the bass is not as low or as fast it is nicely textured and shows the power in the music. The Ref 5SE and 75SE should have totally destroy the LS17 combo but it did not do it for me in that it was ultra sophisticated and nice but did not let itself go. It was far more 3D than the LS17 combo but the LS17/VS110 is no slouch there, but is far more fun to listen to.

Maybe, just maybe with about 100 hours on it , the Ref75SE was in a bad phase of the run in and even though I had it for 2/3 days it was insufficient. Not sure but really enjoying the LS17 combo.

[Harlequin]

Always an important consideration when auditioning ARC gear George, I would say that at 100 hours the units that you had on demo were weeks let alone hours away from performing at optimal.

My recent demo's of an GS150 at 60 and then at 115 hours on the clock were a perfect illustration to me of this irksome phenomenon, I am resolved not even to bother again until that particular demo unit has been run for at least 450 to 600 hours.

[The Lost Bears]

Audio Research equipment can go through a lot of ups and downs in the first 300 to 400 hours. I would not do any serious comparison until at least 500 hours. I have not heard the LS17. I had a demo LS27 in my system for a couple of weeks before I bought my Ref 5se. My original intention was to buy the demo LS27 from the dealer. But the Ref 5se was just so much better in every way. I ended up buying the Ref 5se instead. Both units were broken in with the Ref 5SE having over 1500 hours.

I would give the Ref 5se and Ref 75se combo another chance when they have broken in a bit more.

[George47]

Originally Posted by The Lost Bears

Audio Research equipment can go through a lot of ups and downs in the first 300 to 400 hours. I would not do any serious comparison until at least 500 hours. I have not heard the LS17. I had a demo LS27 in my system for a couple of weeks before I bought my Ref 5se. My original intention was to buy the demo LS27 from the dealer. But the Ref 5se was just so much better in every way. I ended up buying the Ref 5se instead. Both units were broken in with the Ref 5SE having over 1500 hours.

I would give the Ref 5se and Ref 75se combo another chance when they have broken in a bit more.

Sounds very good advice to me so I will re-visit and see what happens in a few more weeks.