Ref 6 test

[MMBL622]

I’ve test the Ref 6 by using three different power-amp yesterday at ARC’s distributor showroom

McIntosh MC452
Accuphase A-70
ARC Ref 75 SE

Sourcing: Accuphase DP-720
Speaker: Focal JM Lab Scala V2 Utopia


Ref 6 + McIntosh MC452:
Very thick sound, a lot of meat and muscle, good dynamic, but the figure seem to be a little bit fat in my ear.


Ref 6 + Accuphase A-70:
Less density and thickness than Ref 6 + MC-452, seem like lack of energy, I don’t spend too much time to test this combo. I guess A-70 does not have enough power to drive JM Lab Utopia, perhaps A-200 will do much better job.


Ref 6 + Ref 75 SE:
Very musical, fast, not as much meat as MC-452, just at the right thickness. However, MC-452 has slightly better dynamic. It sound so beautiful, all I need to do is just to close my eye and listen to music. In overall, it sound better than MC-452 and A-70 in my opinion. I was surprise about this because I never listen to ARC Ref combo before, and many people told me how good to use Tube pre-amp + SS power-amp, but now it change my mind. And I also wonder Ref 75 SE has such good power to drive Focal JM Lab Scala V2 Utopia. I’m thinking how's the sound it will be if they use Ref 150....

[Superfrg]

Very nice review, would have loved to hear those setups.

It seems some prefer the sound of the Ref75SE over the 150, even though its power figures are lower.

[Harlequin]

Perhaps your dealer has access to the newer GS150 ? The styling of which would compliment the Ref6 very well.