Reference 10 preamplifier

[microstrip]

Micro,

what cables did you use between the 18NS and the 108 when you did that preamp comparison?

and regarding phono performance between both pre's, how was that?

Mike,

I used the DartZeel supplied 50 ohm cable (10m) and currently I am using a Kimber KS1036 XLR XLR 6m long between the REF40 and the NHB 108. The appearance of the Audio Research REF phono 2 was was one the reasons I reverted to ARC - at that time I felt that I preferred the Phono2. The REF5 was in my view different, but not better than the DartZeel. But the REF Anniversary seemed to be a reasonable jump.
AFAIK, one owner of an NHB 458 also owns an ARC Phono 2 REF SE, but keeps the NH18NS.

 

[MylesBAstor]

At CES last year my favorite room was the Sonus Faber Aida with the new ARC Ref250 and Ref40 Anniversary

If you thought that sounded good, you should hear the Aidas powered by Burmester amps

 

[mep]

If you thought that sounded good, you should hear the Aidas powered by Burmester amps

Myles-Are you seriously saying that SS sounded better than tubes??

 

[MylesBAstor]

Myles-Are you seriously saying that SS sounded better than tubes??

Not necessarily. I just wasn't as blown away by the sound in that room as most others.

 

[mep]

Just checking bro, you had me worried for a minute.

 

[MylesBAstor]

Just checking bro, you had me worried for a minute.

Oh that's the last thing would want to do

But honestly, there's some ss gear that I could live with. Just as long as it's not zippy, transistory, thin, mechanical and washed out sounding. Just in the end, find that tubes bring me closer to the holy grail.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Mike,

I used the DartZeel supplied 50 ohm cable (10m) and currently I am using a Kimber KS1036 XLR XLR 6m long between the REF40 and the NHB 108. The appearance of the Audio Research REF phono 2 was was one the reasons I reverted to ARC - at that time I felt that I preferred the Phono2. The REF5 was in my view different, but not better than the DartZeel. But the REF Anniversary seemed to be a reasonable jump.
AFAIK, one owner of an NHB 458 also owns an ARC Phono 2 REF SE, but keeps the NH18NS.

thanks Micro.

i know how much better the Evolution Acoustic BNC cables are than Herve's (quite a bit better) and wonder how that might figure into the equation?

sounds like the REF 10 is special in any case.

 

[microstrip]

thanks Micro.

i know how much better the Evolution Acoustic BNC cables are than Herve's (quite a bit better) and wonder how that might figure into the equation?

sounds like the REF 10 is special in any case.

Mike,
Most probably - but I did not have access to other BNC cables . I also found that DartZeel equipment is very dependent on cable quality. I listened to great sounds with Transparent Reference MM2, Odin and Kubala Sosna ELations speaker cables, but a few expensive cables that I will keep incognito could make the great sounding NHB108 sound miserable in my system.

 

[KeithR]

Nothing like ARC milking it's customers. It really shows who owns this company now. And that screen is an abomination...

The Ref 15 will be out in 2 years and cost 35k- that's my prediction. Ref 20 at 50k in 4 years.

 

[mep]

Nothing like ARC milking it's customers. It really shows who owns this company now. And that screen is an abomination...

The Ref 15 will be out in 2 years and cost 35k- that's my prediction. Ref 20 at 50k in 4 years.

Why Keith, I believe you are so jaded that they should display you in a jewlery store.

 

[KeithR]

I think they lost their way after the Ref 3, personally. In fact, I bet the Ref 3 still sounds pretty amazing compared to these latest jewels--which just add a separate power supply and more energy storage for double and triple the cost.

don't get me started on the LS line

 

[asiufy]

What about the LS line?

 

[mep]

I can tell you the LS17 is no box of chocolates. I bought two of them with the last time after I bought the ARC VS115 thinking it would be a great match. Wrong. The Krell KBL smokes the LS17 in every parameter that means a damn thing to me. More neutral, more quiet, better bass response, faster, tighter, and on and on.

The funny thing was the LS17 was much easier to sell than the ARC VS115 even though the price differential was small on the used market. The ARC VS115 is a much better amp than the LS17 is a preamp. I’m beginning to think the reason people shy away from the VS115 isn’t the sound, but rather the open-air chassis.

 

[KeithR]

They should just really make the LS line fully SS as that is how it sounds. In fact, I've heard better SS preamps. Flat, non-involving sound.

 

[microstrip]

They should just really make the LS line fully SS as that is how it sounds. In fact, I've heard better SS preamps. Flat, non-involving sound.

I have no experience with the LS17, but can assure you that the LS26 and LS27 sound great in an appropriate systems. Surely YMMV.

 

[nirodha]

Just checking bro, you had me worried for a minute.

The only tube amps that really (!) impressed me were the Zanden monos and pre I heard at a Magico Q7 / dCS show last week . Said a Spectral owner....
Now .. where did I put that plane ticket so that I can go away before my house is bombed by a bunch of tubey lovers.

 

[microstrip]

If you thought that sounded good, you should hear the Aidas powered by Burmester amps

Would really appreciate to listen to such a system. Can you tell us what was the equipment and cables used in this session?

 

[MylesBAstor]

Would really appreciate to listen to such a system. Can you tell us what was the equipment and cables used in this session?

I'll only go into the analog side since when I heard the system, the Burmester music server was brand new. The analog front end was the Graham Phantom with Benz LP-S mounted on the top of the line Avid table. The preamplifier/phono were also top of the line Burmester and the system was wired with top of the line Wireworld IC and speaker cables. (sorry I don't remember the models ).

 

[microstrip]

I'll only go into the analog side since when I heard the system, the Burmester music server was brand new. The analog front end was the Graham Phantom with Benz LP-S mounted on the top of the line Avid table. The preamplifier/phono were also top of the line Burmester and the system was wired with top of the line Wireworld IC and speaker cables. (sorry I don't remember the models ).

I think I know about the aficionado that owns such system. Is there anything you would want to tell us about your listening session?

 

[MylesBAstor]

I think I know about the aficionado that owns such system. Is there anything you would want to tell us about your listening session?

I posted my comments over on that site