Spyder
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On this side of the pond, as they say, Audio Research is recognized as one of the best tube gear manufacturers. It's Reference 10 Line Stage Preamplifier is considered by many as one of the best preamplifiers available. I had the Audio Research Anniversary 40 and I was so impressed with it that when Audio Research said they bettered it with the Reference 10, I didn't hesitate to trade up.
They were right, the Ref. 10 was a better preamp than its 40th Anniversary predecessor. The improvements were not dramatic and at that level of component I was not expecting they would be. However, they were noticeable. A slightly deeper and wider soundstage and more inner detail, which is saying a lot when one considers how great the 40th is/was. Both preamps have comparable and very good bass performance. A consequence of a well designed high output power supply, housed in a separate chassis. Some claim the bass performance rivals top contender solid state preamps. However, after attending the Munich High End Show in 2016 and hearing some of those contenders, I concluded otherwise. That left me "wanting". The dreaded precursor to "looking around".
My initial thought was moving to a top-shelf solid state preamplifier. I have the Octave MRE 220 mono amps, each connected to a Octave Super Black Box. I wrote a review for my Octave amps on AudioShark a few years ago. They are in a word - incredible. They also paired very nicely with my Ref. 10. It was my love of the MRE 220's and my preference for tube gear that lead me to consider Octave's "Jubilee" Preamp, its top preamplifier model. I began, as I often do, by searching out reviews to see what others thought of the Jubilee. There were a few forum threads on another site and a review on 6 Moons, which were extremely positive. I then tried to see if someone had compared the Octave Jubilee Pre to the Audio Research Ref. 10. I could not find such a review.
I ended up selling my Ref. 10, which was an easy task, and buying the Jubilee. I decided to write this review in case there was someone else out there in audiophile land wondering how the two compare. I have always enjoyed gear reviews written by hobbyists. Professional reviews in magazines are enjoyable and informative, but I often wonder if they may be influenced by other considerations.
So what is my verdict on the two preamplifiers from opposite sides of the pond? Are they comparable, with subtle differences? One would think, given they are comparable in price. Both have separate power supplies, though the Jubilee is a "hybrid" design with a solid state power supply. Well; they are not comparable. Not even close. The Octave Jubilee far surpasses the Audio Research Ref. 10 - across the board.
In a word, the Jubilee has been "transformative" in my system. Everything is better and more enjoyable. Starting with the bass - its incredible. As good as the Constellation Altair II and Soulution 710. Combined with the Jubilee's mids, highs, dynamics and tonal balance and the sheer "presence" of being there, that only top tube gear can create, my system has gone from making beautiful music to bringing music to life.
What makes dynamics really work isn't transient speed, it's the accuracy of the getting to the top of the range and back at the correct pace or timing. The Jubilee does it masterfully and effortlessly.
I got hooked on high end thirty years ago when I walked into a "real" stereo store and listened to a system that made me "feel" the music in the same way as a live performance. I have now achieved that completely with the Jubilee pre. There are no shortcomings or compromises that leave me wanting.
For anyone wondering how these two top Titans rank in a competition, you now know.
They were right, the Ref. 10 was a better preamp than its 40th Anniversary predecessor. The improvements were not dramatic and at that level of component I was not expecting they would be. However, they were noticeable. A slightly deeper and wider soundstage and more inner detail, which is saying a lot when one considers how great the 40th is/was. Both preamps have comparable and very good bass performance. A consequence of a well designed high output power supply, housed in a separate chassis. Some claim the bass performance rivals top contender solid state preamps. However, after attending the Munich High End Show in 2016 and hearing some of those contenders, I concluded otherwise. That left me "wanting". The dreaded precursor to "looking around".
My initial thought was moving to a top-shelf solid state preamplifier. I have the Octave MRE 220 mono amps, each connected to a Octave Super Black Box. I wrote a review for my Octave amps on AudioShark a few years ago. They are in a word - incredible. They also paired very nicely with my Ref. 10. It was my love of the MRE 220's and my preference for tube gear that lead me to consider Octave's "Jubilee" Preamp, its top preamplifier model. I began, as I often do, by searching out reviews to see what others thought of the Jubilee. There were a few forum threads on another site and a review on 6 Moons, which were extremely positive. I then tried to see if someone had compared the Octave Jubilee Pre to the Audio Research Ref. 10. I could not find such a review.
I ended up selling my Ref. 10, which was an easy task, and buying the Jubilee. I decided to write this review in case there was someone else out there in audiophile land wondering how the two compare. I have always enjoyed gear reviews written by hobbyists. Professional reviews in magazines are enjoyable and informative, but I often wonder if they may be influenced by other considerations.
So what is my verdict on the two preamplifiers from opposite sides of the pond? Are they comparable, with subtle differences? One would think, given they are comparable in price. Both have separate power supplies, though the Jubilee is a "hybrid" design with a solid state power supply. Well; they are not comparable. Not even close. The Octave Jubilee far surpasses the Audio Research Ref. 10 - across the board.
In a word, the Jubilee has been "transformative" in my system. Everything is better and more enjoyable. Starting with the bass - its incredible. As good as the Constellation Altair II and Soulution 710. Combined with the Jubilee's mids, highs, dynamics and tonal balance and the sheer "presence" of being there, that only top tube gear can create, my system has gone from making beautiful music to bringing music to life.
What makes dynamics really work isn't transient speed, it's the accuracy of the getting to the top of the range and back at the correct pace or timing. The Jubilee does it masterfully and effortlessly.
I got hooked on high end thirty years ago when I walked into a "real" stereo store and listened to a system that made me "feel" the music in the same way as a live performance. I have now achieved that completely with the Jubilee pre. There are no shortcomings or compromises that leave me wanting.
For anyone wondering how these two top Titans rank in a competition, you now know.
