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Pre-Amps & Amplifiers All Brands Welcome |
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#11
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#12
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I have two tube audio research systems and they're fantastic.
In my bedroom VSi60 Audio Research Corporation VSi60 Integrated Amplifier | The Absolute Sound And my home office Audio Research VSi75 Integrated Amplifier | Ultra High-End Audio and Home Theater Review ARC builds great amps and disc spinners. |
#13
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IMO an ARC Pre plays real well with a Mark Levinson amp. Does not appear to be plenty of Mark Levinson on this site but I can vouch that it is a great match with my ARC Ref Pre. I have also heard them with Bryston and Ayre. But still preferred the Levinson.
I agree with 2fastdriving comment above that an ARC Pre is very versatile when it comes to matching it with a SS amp. Last edited by Alki; 10-27-2016 at 10:21 PM. |
#14
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I now have darTZeel Pre/Amp combo and I'm very happy with the change. |
#15
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I have used tube amps my entire life of high end listening (about 30 years). When I received my Rockport Altair's three years ago, I was using the big Vac monoblocks. The sound was good but I was missing fullness in the upper mids. My friend measured the impedance and it turns out the speaker is mainly a 2 ohm load. This is not a tube friendly speaker. By chance I saw a Krell FPB 250m used for sale. I bought the amp and could not believe how good it was. My speakers now filled out in the lower mids and dynamics to die for. I was amazed how transparent, imaging, depth, were outstanding. I never knew solid state could do this. I then found another used pair of Krell FPB650m to replace the 250 and the improvements were once again noted. So yes I'm very happy with the change. I have no choice as no tube amp will like to drive my speaker loads. I am using an Absolare tube preamp and it is a perfect match. I tried solid state preamps, but like the tube preamp better. I also had an Audio Research tube preamp, but the Vac preamp was better, and the absolare was better yet.
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#16
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Currently an ARC guy, but really enjoyed the darTZeel I've heard. I think I get from where you're coming. |
#17
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Lostbears, I have read some of your posts and if I remember correctly you have a ARC REF5SE? I remember because I am interested in that pre or maybe the REF 6. Anyway, what I can share with you is I have a pair of Krell mono blocks FPB350mcx and a MAC mc275VI set up in the same room and really there is no comparison. The Krells by a mile. The Tube MAC sounds really good but as you would expect much less bass and since I have a limited audio vocabulary I will just say the ss Krells are much better. However, the Krells originally were about $12k and the MAC 4 or 5 I think? That may be the biggest difference. I was running them with a MAC c2300 but am looking into one of the ARCs to replace it.
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#18
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The Ref 5se is truly a great preamp. I have not listened to a Ref 6 because I don't want to be unhappy. I truly love my Ref 5se and don't want to upgrade anytime soon. The fact that you can find them used for around half the price of a Ref 6 really makes it hard to beat.
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