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Audio Research State of the Art Audio Reproduction

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  #21  
Old 01-20-2014, 08:41 PM
2fastdriving 2fastdriving is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cmalak View Post
I think it would look better in all black or two tone scheme a la traditional ARC, with black surround on the squares surrounding the volume and control knobs and around the rectangle around the touch screen. I also don't like that they have gone fully touch screen. I liked the old school buttons for various controls. Rings more true to ARC's retro look and feel.

Having said that, all this is secondary to SQ. If the line stage matches at least an LS-27, and the phono equals the PH-8, plus you get a good sounding headphone amp for $9K, then you are getting a lot for your money (when you compare it to the stand-alone prices of the LS-27, the PH-8, and an extra decent headphone, call it $1K). All-in, the stand-alone prices of those three units would get you in the $15K range, so pretty good. Not to mention 2 less interconnects and 2 less components taking up limited space on a rack.
I agree...there is significant value in this component. It's just a question of the polarizing look and the user controls. I just did NOT like that part of it, the experience just turned me off to it.

So I'd recommend to anyone interested in ARC sound at a good value, go ahead and try it. Just make sure you play with those controls and the screen before you commit your cash.
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  #22  
Old 01-22-2014, 11:20 AM
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George Prentice George Prentice is offline
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I have to agree, not a pretty unit. For $9k, I want pretty also.
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  #23  
Old 01-26-2014, 01:15 PM
RoninAudio RoninAudio is offline
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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have one on order. I like the look and it saves me 1 power cord and pair of interconnects. I have two sources and I use the remote mainly. However at 9k I do expect it to be glitch free.
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  #24  
Old 01-26-2014, 01:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RoninAudio View Post
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have one on order. I like the look and it saves me 1 power cord and pair of interconnects. I have two sources and I use the remote mainly. However at 9k I do expect it to be glitch free.
Congratulations. I heard this with the REF75 at RMAF and was impressed (on digital). I think it looks quite nice in person, the pictures don't do it justice. It's just not the ARC look we're used to. I'll be interested to hear impressions of the phono stage.
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  #25  
Old 01-26-2014, 01:38 PM
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RoninAudio...congrats on the SP-20 Please share your thoughts (and pics ) with us when you receive it and as Tony (Antonmb) suggests, if you have a moment to share your sonic impressions on both the linestage and the phono stage, that would be much appreciated. Thanks!
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  #26  
Old 02-03-2014, 10:08 PM
RoninAudio RoninAudio is offline
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I just picked it up today. More pictures and review to come.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg image-365620319.jpg (33.9 KB, 355 views)

Last edited by jdandy; 02-03-2014 at 10:19 PM. Reason: Enlarge photo.
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  #27  
Old 02-03-2014, 10:21 PM
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RoninAudio.......Looking forward to your impressions on your new SP20.
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  #28  
Old 02-03-2014, 10:47 PM
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I think it looks great. Looking forward to impressions. Congratulations.
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  #29  
Old 02-03-2014, 11:15 PM
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Ronin...congrats! Can you share with us what the SP-20 will be replacing (both linestage and phonostage)? Thx
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  #30  
Old 02-04-2014, 07:01 AM
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Congrats Ronin! Look forward to your impressions.
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