Audio Research GSPre/GS150 Review

**Mike** · January 16, 2015, 01:00 AM

Jose' Victor Henriques reviews the ARC GSPre/GS150 in this months HiFi News - Hi-Fi News & Record Review

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He concludes: "The GS150 is not only the finest sounding but also the most beautiful stereo amplifier Audio Research has ever built, which is saying a lot for a company that makes some of the best tube amplifiers in the world. The GSPre is the perfect partner both aesthetically and sonically, its beauty within matching the beauty without. Together they've restored my fading faith in vacuum tube technology!"

In comparing it to the REF 5SE and REF150, he concludes, "The GSPre/GS150 won hands down."

Regarding the phonostage in the GSPre, he concludes, "I regret to say the GSPre phono stage is not a match for the remarkable PH2 SE phono preamplifier. To put it bluntly, the GS150 is a much better amplifier than the REF150, anyway you look at and listen to it. And the GSPre is a marginally better choice (than the REF5SE) - more open, transparent and musically relaxed - but the PH2 SE walks all over the GSPre's phono stage which is more of a bonus than a real asset to the preamplifier."

He also advises owners of the REF series to try the KT150's in their amps before considering a move to the GS series. He quotes ARC in his article as saying "Owners of the REF150 will probably be wondering if they might achieve a better sound still, with KT150's." "They'd undoubtedly sound more similar" says Warren Gehl of Audio Research, the person responsible for "sonic design" at ARC. Gehl continues, "but other design changes and advancements will still provide the GS150 with an edge over the REF150."

He mentions that ARC designers did consider implementing a DAC in the GSPre, but real estate inside the case wouldn't allow it.

ARC sees the GSPre as a Preamp that nears the performance of the REF5SE/PH8 Phono Pre.

On the bench, the ARC GS150 offers 170 watts per channel into both 8 and 4 ohm loads, with a dynamic output of 185 watts on the 8ohm tap and 185 watts on the 4 ohm tap.

**Mike** · January 16, 2015, 08:23 AM

I should add that in terms of noise floor, the GS150 and GSpre also measured very well.

**Mike** · January 16, 2015, 09:53 AM

**MDP** · January 16, 2015, 10:07 AM

Uh oh.....................I know what this means

**Bobvin** · January 16, 2015, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by MDP

Uh oh.....................I know what this means

Yep, I've got a GS150 boner. My wife's not going to let me out in public!

I put one of those SOtM USB cards into my music computer last night. My DAC8 just got a lot better, like adding a Shunyata Zitron power cable--nice reduction in noise. Listened last night and this morning. The REF10/REF75/KT150 combo is approaching 150 hours and keeps getting better. The GS150 would look awesome in my rack, and I'll bet feeding it with the REF10 would be sublime. Now if I could only audition the REF10 Phono!

**Mike** · January 16, 2015, 01:05 PM

Bob - in lieu of a PC, have you considered any of the network player products like the Auralic Aries?

**Bobvin** · January 16, 2015, 01:24 PM

I've consider pinging you wrt Lumin, because my DAC has acted up a little lately. I'm a little afraid to invest in digital considering how fast things are changing in that arena, and because my first preference is to spin the big black platters.

**Mike** · January 16, 2015, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by Bobvin

I've consider pinging you wrt Lumin, because my DAC has acted up a little lately. I'm a little afraid to invest in digital considering how fast things are changing in that arena, and because my first preference is to spin the big black platters.

I don't blame you!

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**Ritmo** · January 16, 2015, 04:18 PM

Mike -

Thx for starting this thread. We are finally seeing some more information coming out of ARC on this new line. Marketing did not do a good job to launch the new series.

Nelson has been very high on the GS150. Starting to understand why that's the case.

Bob -

The ARC Ref 10 with the GS150 and the Alexias should be a wonderful combo. Like you, I have a DAC8 that I'm considering replacing very soon. Yes, the Lumin is in the running...

**Paul** · January 16, 2015, 04:21 PM

I really like the looks of new ARC series. Does still share same old ARC house sounds ? Or something different ?

**highEndguy** · January 16, 2015, 06:54 PM

I'm going to install the GSPre this weekend to hear it with the Gs150

Let's get ready to rumble !!!

**joeinid** · January 16, 2015, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by highEndguy

I'm going to install the GSPre this weekend to hear it with the Gs150

Let's get ready to rumble !!!

**the professor** · January 16, 2015, 07:24 PM

awesome

**highEndguy** · January 16, 2015, 07:37 PM

Audio porn

**highEndguy** · January 16, 2015, 07:41 PM

**Mike** · January 16, 2015, 07:49 PM

That's just mean.

**Ritmo** · January 16, 2015, 09:11 PM

The GS design is starting to grow on me.

Nelson - Is the front plate thinner than the one on the Ref series?

**mep** · January 16, 2015, 09:47 PM

If you look at the preamp, you can see it has more SE inputs than balanced and I question whether or not it's truly balanced. I will have to see the specs. In any event, it doesn't appear to be in the same ballpark as the Ref 5SE.

**Mike** · January 16, 2015, 09:57 PM

Zoom in to read the specs.

http://turnv.com/web/taifuaudio/news/20140523/ARC15.jpg

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**mep** · January 17, 2015, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Zoom in to read the specs.

http://turnv.com/web/taifuaudio/news/20140523/ARC15.jpg

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There is actually a little more info on ARC's website. It lists the tubes it uses and it doesn't have the 6550 in the power supply that the Ref 5SE uses. It does appear to be balanced from the specs.

**MDP** · January 17, 2015, 09:41 AM

I actually prefer the new GS styling

**mep** · January 17, 2015, 09:50 AM

Some people do. The Italians raided the parts bins of ARC for the GS gear. The pre is a throwback to the ARC SP3 with the old knobs.

**highEndguy** · January 17, 2015, 10:33 AM

My personal touch with Stillpoints

**highEndguy** · January 17, 2015, 10:39 AM

Mini mini mini review

first hour of use sounds very coherent and mature
Soundstage as big as always

Like that does not have to many inputs, we don't use more than two or 3 anymore

The faceplate is different but looks the same thin as the REF

You can read the volume number fine but not to far

**highEndguy** · January 17, 2015, 10:40 AM

**Ritmo** · January 17, 2015, 11:02 AM

Thx Nelson, looking good!

Interesting seeing the Ref 5SE next to the GS series. No better picture around to compare the different designs.

One last comment, do you also have Stillpoints on the Ref5SE? This could be a clear advantage to the GS - I'm thinking...

**highEndguy** · January 17, 2015, 11:05 AM

No REF5se near me just my REF10
And I know who is the winner of these two

**Mike** · January 17, 2015, 11:06 AM

It wasn't until I saw your pictures that I appreciate the beautiful new build quality.

**Ritmo** · January 17, 2015, 11:06 AM

My mistake, I thought the ARC unit next to the GS150 was the Ref 5SE...

**highEndguy** · January 17, 2015, 11:11 AM

The footers are better quality than any other ARC product I had before

**MDP** · January 17, 2015, 11:31 AM

Ok Nelson, which do you like better, REF 10 or GS pre ?

**highEndguy** · January 17, 2015, 11:49 AM

Really Mark?
100% sure the REF is the best Pre amp in the Market, IMHO

**MDP** · January 17, 2015, 01:28 PM

Just curious Nelson, I've never owned ARC gear. Is the GS a step up from the REF 5SE ?

**highEndguy** · January 17, 2015, 01:29 PM

I can say for now that they are very close ( REF5se /GSPre )

**MDP** · January 17, 2015, 01:40 PM

Thanks Nelson !

**highEndguy** · January 17, 2015, 01:41 PM

Your welcome buddy

**highEndguy** · January 17, 2015, 08:06 PM

Bad news,
A client saw it and after 1 hour of demo he bought it
So I need to buy another one

**Mike** · January 17, 2015, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by highEndguy

Bad news,
A client saw it and after 1 hour of demo he bought it
So I need to buy another one

Holy cow! That's good...and bad...

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mauidan · January 17, 2015, 08:14 PM

**Ritmo** · January 17, 2015, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by highEndguy

Bad news,
A client saw it and after 1 hour of demo he bought it
So I need to buy another one

I say, great news Nelson! I guess it must be an ok piece...

**Glareskin** · January 18, 2015, 04:14 PM

They had a great review in the German magazine Stereoplay. I didn't post it as I usually get roasted for publishing a German magazine conclusion but the GSPre is the new absolute number 1 in the preamp category whereas the GS150 is a partial number 1 in the category tube amps together with the Ayon Vulcan II and the Octave MRE220. The solid states Ayre MX-R and the T+A M10 get a similar sonic value.

They say the combination GSPre and GS150 is a solid classic. And one that is be there to stay for a long time.

I also like the design. The MF's are too heavy to carry by the handles anyway... Are they available in black?

**Glareskin** · January 18, 2015, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by highEndguy

That is a great set! But aren't you afraid the rack is getting on fire with so little clearance?

**Rscotth** · January 18, 2015, 08:49 PM

I bet the next step will be GS150 mono blocks!

**highEndguy** · January 30, 2015, 09:37 AM

My new GSPre is out from Factory, oh Yeah !!!!!!

**joeinid** · January 30, 2015, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by highEndguy

My new GSPre is out from Factory, oh Yeah !!!!!!

**MDP** · January 30, 2015, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by highEndguy

My new GSPre is out from Factory, oh Yeah !!!!!!

Very cool Nelson !!

**highEndguy** · January 30, 2015, 01:24 PM

Thread: Audio Research GSPre/GS150 Review