The system arrived on Friday and managed a few hours with it, overall I must say that the Audio Research Class D amps are rather underated.
I originally listened extensively to an DS450 (stereo model) with LS27 and CD5, this sounded very good and was a match for many efficient (lower bias) AB designs, but when compared to my Devialet it lost out on some finesse-delicacy.
With the new setup, I can say even with the DS450Ms brand new the sound was much smoother (in a good way), greater level of finesse and the quality of the Ref5 came through beyond that of the LS27, suggesting that in terms of quality the DS450M is very transparent.
While many would see this as a strength it may also be a "weakness" as it does present the sound of the preamp-CD-DAC used, and I feel many will not test this with a reference level preamp/digital source.
I cannot really comment too much at this stage due to needing much more listening time with the setup but so far it has a smooth grain free sound, with detail and finesse, and importantly conveying a natural warmth-silky timbre to the right instruments and without it being lean or cool so there is that subtle richness to the sound as well.
This system works exceedingly well and still seems to be walking the neutral line but in a way that I feel many will like.
Initial thoughts suggest this is very good and is a keeper, even when compared to two mono Devialet D-Premiers.
If there are a couple of down points it is;
a) In a fully balanced setup I would like the DAC8 to have lower voltage output as loud mastered records mean the Ref5 is working in its lower range and very subtly this to me is a bit weaker than its higher volume setting; but we are talking about when played a little above background level so normal listening (say around average 80db) would not be a concern, and this is me being very picky about it anyway.
b) Strangely the DS450M has both monos designed to look like the right side mono amp, meaning the speaker binding posts are on the far right and balanced interconnect more to the left.
c) This last one is the most important and may be a deal breaker but I must emphasise need to spend more time investigating; there is the dreaded mains hum coming through the both speakers and this happens even when everything else is turned off and disconnected from the amps (that are still connected to the speakers), happens even with just one amp powered up while still disconnected from other equipment apart from the speakers.
This did not happen with the DS450, so further investigation is needed before thinking it may be something with caps/rail/internal design and/or possibly influenced by UK mains.
Anyway got a few things to do to test this.
So overall I am being more picky about minor aspects apart from the hum.
Once spent more time listening (feel that dynamics and soundstage are affected by the brand new DS450M and some time running in is required) and working on the hum issue will give an update, but definitely it is a setup I can strongly recommend to those who are looking at a mix of tube preamp and solid state power amps, who find many AB amps to be too cool or lean and analytical in sound.
Cheers
Orb
I originally listened extensively to an DS450 (stereo model) with LS27 and CD5, this sounded very good and was a match for many efficient (lower bias) AB designs, but when compared to my Devialet it lost out on some finesse-delicacy.
With the new setup, I can say even with the DS450Ms brand new the sound was much smoother (in a good way), greater level of finesse and the quality of the Ref5 came through beyond that of the LS27, suggesting that in terms of quality the DS450M is very transparent.
While many would see this as a strength it may also be a "weakness" as it does present the sound of the preamp-CD-DAC used, and I feel many will not test this with a reference level preamp/digital source.
I cannot really comment too much at this stage due to needing much more listening time with the setup but so far it has a smooth grain free sound, with detail and finesse, and importantly conveying a natural warmth-silky timbre to the right instruments and without it being lean or cool so there is that subtle richness to the sound as well.
This system works exceedingly well and still seems to be walking the neutral line but in a way that I feel many will like.
Initial thoughts suggest this is very good and is a keeper, even when compared to two mono Devialet D-Premiers.
If there are a couple of down points it is;
a) In a fully balanced setup I would like the DAC8 to have lower voltage output as loud mastered records mean the Ref5 is working in its lower range and very subtly this to me is a bit weaker than its higher volume setting; but we are talking about when played a little above background level so normal listening (say around average 80db) would not be a concern, and this is me being very picky about it anyway.
b) Strangely the DS450M has both monos designed to look like the right side mono amp, meaning the speaker binding posts are on the far right and balanced interconnect more to the left.
c) This last one is the most important and may be a deal breaker but I must emphasise need to spend more time investigating; there is the dreaded mains hum coming through the both speakers and this happens even when everything else is turned off and disconnected from the amps (that are still connected to the speakers), happens even with just one amp powered up while still disconnected from other equipment apart from the speakers.
This did not happen with the DS450, so further investigation is needed before thinking it may be something with caps/rail/internal design and/or possibly influenced by UK mains.
Anyway got a few things to do to test this.
So overall I am being more picky about minor aspects apart from the hum.
Once spent more time listening (feel that dynamics and soundstage are affected by the brand new DS450M and some time running in is required) and working on the hum issue will give an update, but definitely it is a setup I can strongly recommend to those who are looking at a mix of tube preamp and solid state power amps, who find many AB amps to be too cool or lean and analytical in sound.
Cheers
Orb
