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  #31  
Old 01-30-2017, 08:34 PM
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Ken....Whilst I have not had an opportunity to do so, It would be most interesting to compare a stock CD9 with the same unit sporting an NOS GE6550A as power regulator, of course one could take such experimentation even further should one have a set of DR's going spare.
Hi Harlequin,

My plan is to purchase NOS GE6550 tubes for my Ref 10 when the stock 6550 tubes reach 2,000 hours. If I purchase the Ref CD-9 player or the Ref DAC, I will do the same. One of the big advantages of the ARC Reference line is their use of the 6550 rectifier tube and the added benefit you can gain by rolling to NOS tubes.

Best,
Ken
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  #32  
Old 01-30-2017, 08:56 PM
JBT JBT is offline
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Hi Marc,

I currently own the Esoteric K-01X, ARC Ref 10 preamp, Vandersteen M7-HPA mono amps and Vandersteen 7 Mk2 speakers. Right now I'm borrowing the ARC DAC9 and having the K-01X transport feed a digital signal via an AES/EBU cable to the DAC9. It sounds wonderful. As my system is primarily tube gear, I'm looking to get the more organic ARC tube sound at the source. There is terrific synergy between the ARC DAC9 and my ARC Ref 10 preamp.

Best,
Ken
Go with the DAC9. It's about 5 thousand cheaper than the Reference CD9! and ARCs first tube DAC since the DAC3 which I own and have boxed up in storage
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  #33  
Old 01-30-2017, 09:06 PM
Harlequin Harlequin is offline
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Considering, IMHO, the additional Dimensionality that NOS 6550's bring to ARC REF Pre amplification in particular, It is quite intriguing to consider what additional efficacy they may impart to the CD9 source ? Likewise a pair of genuine DR 6h30's in an DAC9.

Last edited by Harlequin; 01-31-2017 at 05:44 AM.
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  #34  
Old 01-31-2017, 02:38 AM
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Go with the DAC9. It's about 5 thousand cheaper than the Reference CD9! and ARCs first tube DAC since the DAC3 which I own and have boxed up in storage
Hi JBT,

I did a direct comparison of the Ref CD-9 and the DAC9, and overall I preferred the Ref CD-9 by a substantial margin. I preferred its body, bloom, texture and soundstage. It provides an ease and delivers subtleties that just sound more like real music. This advantage is being driven by its analog gain stage of four 6H30 dual triodes and power supply of one 6550 rectifier tube and one 6H30 dual triode. However, the DAC9 closes the gap somewhat with its new dual mono digital circuit with the latest Burr Brown DAC chip, which delivers lower distortion, lower noise and greater stereo separation. These improvements are audible in the form of purer timbres and more air around instruments and vocalists. What I really want is the new DAC9 digital circuit in the Ref CD-9 and Ref DAC. YMMV.

Best,
Ken
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  #35  
Old 02-01-2017, 06:36 PM
Lars-Ola Lars-Ola is offline
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I wonder why they opted out of upgrading the Ref CD9. It seems like low hanging fruit. Maybe the sonic results weren't there? Maybe expected sales forecast was too low? CD parts supply issue? Maybe there's no point in speculating.

Anyway, thanks for the detailed notes on the comparisons! Much appreciated!
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  #36  
Old 03-06-2017, 06:27 PM
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I've heard the RefDac connected directly to ref75se and it was amazing. Haven't heard the CD9. Since the RefDac is an older piece, and the new Dac9 just came out in the Foundation series, I've got to believe that a newer RefDac is on the horizon. Pure speculation!
Based on my conversations with ARC, it is unlikely that they will be doing an SE update on their Reference DAC, Reference CD-9 Player and CD-6 Player. However, there is the possibility that they may eventually come out with an entirely new Reference DAC at some point in the future, leveraging the new digital technology in their DAC9.

I think the interesting question is what sort of analog gain stage will they use. Will they continue to use the Ref 5SE circuit (2 6H30 input tubes, 2 6H30 output tubes and 2 power supply tubes (6550 & 6H30)) or will they move to the Ref 6 circuit (4 6H30 input tubes, 2 6H30 output tubes and 2 power supply tubes (6550 & 6H30)).

IMO, the advantage of the Ref6 circuit is greater transparency, dynamics and presence, while the advantage of the Ref 5SE circuit is a more laid back, forgiving and slightly euphonic presentation. I feel the Ref6 circuit can bring you closer to the original recording, while the Ref5SE circuit can produce a very analog-like sound that can take the digital edge off a lot of recordings.

Best,
Ken

Last edited by PlanarSpeakerFan; 03-07-2017 at 01:53 AM.
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  #37  
Old 03-11-2017, 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan View Post
Based on my conversations with ARC, it is unlikely that they will be doing an SE update on their Reference DAC, Reference CD-9 Player and CD-6 Player. However, there is the possibility that they may eventually come out with an entirely new Reference DAC at some point in the future, leveraging the new digital technology in their DAC9.

I think the interesting question is what sort of analog gain stage will they use. Will they continue to use the Ref 5SE circuit (2 6H30 input tubes, 2 6H30 output tubes and 2 power supply tubes (6550 & 6H30)) or will they move to the Ref 6 circuit (4 6H30 input tubes, 2 6H30 output tubes and 2 power supply tubes (6550 & 6H30)).

IMO, the advantage of the Ref6 circuit is greater transparency, dynamics and presence, while the advantage of the Ref 5SE circuit is a more laid back, forgiving and slightly euphonic presentation. I feel the Ref6 circuit can bring you closer to the original recording, while the Ref5SE circuit can produce a very analog-like sound that can take the digital edge off a lot of recordings.

Best,
Ken

Ken,

Maybe ARC can implement a selector switch to switich between 2 or 4 6H30 tubes😀. I have had my CD9 now for about 4 years and I like it a bit more than the K03. Recently got the REF6 and it's definitely better the ref 5se.

Rich
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  #38  
Old 03-11-2017, 04:05 PM
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Ken,

Maybe ARC can implement a selector switch to switich between 2 or 4 6H30 tubes😀. I have had my CD9 now for about 4 years and I like it a bit more than the K03. Recently got the REF6 and it's definitely better the ref 5se.

Rich
Hi Rich,

That is a great idea, I really like it. I agree that the Ref 6 preamp is significantly better than the Ref 5SE. It is much more transparent with greater dynamic capabilities. This is what I want in a preamp. It should just step out of the way and let the music come through.

But having tried the ARC Ref CD-9 Player as the source in my system with its Ref 5SE analog gain stage, I appreciate the analog-like presentation it provides and how it takes the digital edge off many recordings. So having the ability to switch back and forth between the more transparent Ref 6 analog gain stage and the more forgiving Ref 5SE analog gain stage could be the perfect solution.

However, I suspect that with the popularity of the Ref 6 preamp that ARC will choose to combine its analog gain stage with the DAC9's new digital circuitry to create a new Ref DAC. I just hope they provide a volume control bypass this time around.

Best,
Ken
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  #39  
Old 11-18-2017, 02:53 PM
walakalulu walakalulu is offline
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I have the CD9 at home on dem. at present and am impressed. Tempted to buy one but will be well upset if an updated version arrives soon. Any news on that front as info. is thin on the ground in the UK.
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  #40  
Old 11-18-2017, 05:47 PM
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I have the CD9 at home on dem. at present and am impressed. Tempted to buy one but will be well upset if an updated version arrives soon. Any news on that front as info. is thin on the ground in the UK.
I own the ARC Reference CD9. I also love its organic musicality. I just spoke with ARC and there are no updates in the works for the Reference CD9. I guess if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Ken
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