ARC REF150 ADVICE

[Pfmaudio]

Dear members,

I have the chance to exchange my current ARC Ref 110 (10 years old with 2200 h on the current 6550 tubes) for a demo (with total warranty) ARC REF150 (about 300h on the KT120 tubes). The asking price is €5500, giving my REF 110 as Exchange. I will have the chance to listen to it in my place, but would like to hear your opinion on the performance upgrade and the price. The amp drives a pair of Wison Sophia 3.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pacha]

I recently moved from a Ref 75 to a Ref 150. The tonal signature remained everything I liked with more bass extention and hit. I love the fact that the sweetness of a violin remained while adding a whole level to the bottom end.

 

[microstrip]

I have owned the REF150 and consider it one the best designs of Audio Research - an excellent balance of tube power, articulated bass and the midrange fluidity on voices. In fact , paired with the REF 40 Anniversary preamplifier it gave me what I consider an excellent sound quality. I only moved because the the speakers I have got , the Sonus Faber Aida , needed more power.

 

[tdh888]

Hi ,
Have you tried KT120’s w/ your REF 110 . My recently retired audio research dealer have tried the KT120 equipped REF 110 and was able to compare it to a REF 150 and he said the REF 110 can give the REF 150 a run for for the money . But if it’s a REF 150SE he said that it’s much better than the REF 110 even w/ the KT120’s .
Subjectively power difference won’t be much of an issue .

 

[microstrip]

Hi ,
Have you tried KT120’s w/ your REF 110 . My recently retired audio research dealer have tried the KT120 equipped REF 110 and was able to compare it to a REF 150 and he said the REF 110 can give the REF 150 a run for for the money . But if it’s a REF 150SE he said that it’s much better than the REF 110 even w/ the KT120’s .
Subjectively power difference won’t be much of an issue .

I had the REF110 and the REF150, both with KT120 side by side. Power, bass articulation and general definition was better in the REF150. However considering we can get a REF110 at a much lower price than the REF150 it represents a very good deal. BTW, the REF150 has the double of the capacitance in the power supply of the REF110.

The REF150 SE uses the KT150 tubes - I never listened to it in comparison with a REF150 fitted with KT150 tubes.

 

[RdW]

I have owned the REF150 and consider it one the best designs of Audio Research - an excellent balance of tube power, articulated bass and the midrange fluidity on voices. In fact , paired with the REF 40 Anniversary preamplifier it gave me what I consider an excellent sound quality. I only moved because the the speakers I have got , the Sonus Faber Aida , needed more power.

Interesting. I moved from a 75 to a 150SE which was a considerable improvement. More depth, definition/articulation through the whole spectrum, to the ARC signature it is know for that is to say, as microstrip mentioned, and having more power was helpful. It is a really fine amp.

Bit now owning TAD CR-1, I lost some of this again, especially in the lows, and am up for a change. These TAD’s need more power to get the best out of them. But being used to the ARC sound for many years, moving to solid state, and which one ....., well, that takes some practice

In short, if you like the ARC sound in your set pfmaudio, and if you did not yet made a decision, you might want to audition a 150SE first.