A REF5 tryout is planned

[Uberbrown]

Originally Posted by jdandy

I can't wait for the REF 5 shootout. Really looking forward to the results.

+1.

I have heard GREAT thing about the Ref 5. Post lots of photos!

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by jpgr4blu

Hi Jerome:
You'd be very surprised. The Ref 150s will display the character in full of the 250s. It won't take much to just imagine more power.
I used to have an all Mac system MC2102 and C1000. Then I heard an all ARC system in a showroom and preferred it. So I purchased the Ref 5 and put it in my system with Mac amp, ok, but not as good as all Mac. Then I purchased an ARC amp---and I was hooked.
Presentations are very different---ARC more transparent, Mac sometimes more of the golden glow.
Try the Ref. 150 for starters (less effort) and go from there.

Randy

Hello Randy,

Thank you ! Ok I will ask for the REF 150 too.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by jdandy

I can't wait for the REF 5 shootout. Really looking forward to the results.

Dan,
I can hear more passion in your voice than when we're talking about small japanese hand made green boxes.... !

BTW, talking of ARC and Shindo, I realize that Serge has been rather discrete these last weeks....: he must be listening a lot to his Reference system I guess.....
Serge, who's taking the Lion share in your listening room now ? Shindo or ARC ?

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Uberbrown

+1.

I have heard GREAT thing about the Ref 5. Post lots of photos!

I will !

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Dan,
I can hear more passion in your voice thatn when we're talking about small japanese hand made green boxes.... !

Jérôme.......Yes, I have far greater interest in ARC than any SET amps. Variety is the spice of life.

[jdandy]

Jérôme.......Here are the last two pieces of your ARC system to go with the REF 5 and Signature Phono preamp.


Photo by Ivan Messer

[Jerome W]

Dan,
Yes, the REF 250 monoblocks seem to be the holy grail in the ARC line.
If I can try a REF 5 and REF 150 stereo amp and prefer this combo over the C1000P / 2301's, then I will ask my dealer if he can trade in my Mcs towards the ARC combo. But the price may be very high here in France.
We'll see.
I may also prefer the Mc sound over the ARC.

[Puma Cat]

Ritmo and I heard the Ref 5 pre, Ref 2 phono stage and the REF 250s monos and they were all superb.

But I was also really impressed with the DS450s that Ritmo owns in the Wadia/Sonus Faber room.

While I liked the Ref 5 what stood out for me as a Vinyl-head was the Ref 2 phono. I heard the C-J ET5 preamp yesterday, and my guess is I'd prefer the C-J GAT to the Ref 5 for me personally.

Actually I think a GAT with Ritmo's DS450s would be a killer system!

[Jerome W]

Stephen,
Which speakers were driven by the ARC REF system ?

[PHC1]

Jerome, have fun auditioning the REF5! Looking forward to your impressions.