ARC REF 10 (Audio Research Reference 10) (mini) Review - Page 2
Welcome to the AudioShark Forums.
Page 2 of 8 FirstFirst 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 75
  1. June 10, 2013, 05:28 PM #11
    Mike
    Mike is offline
    Audioshark
    Mike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    24,601
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: ARC REF 10 (Audio Research Reference 10) (mini) Review

    Quote Originally Posted by dlb2 View Post
    Mike have you ever run your REF10 with your DS450's without the REF250's in the mix? I'm just wondering how their tube pre's work with their non-tubed amps.
    Actually, no. I've been meaning to try it. I will and let you know. I had the ARC REF 10 with the Classe CA2300 and Pass XA160.5 and it was excellent with the Pass. I didn't love the Classe-ARC combo. It sounded ok....but just a bit of a mismatch. With the Pass on the other hand, it sounded exceptionally good.
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Audio Research, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Avantgarde Acoustics, Avid HiFi, Ayre Acoustics, Berkeley Audio Design, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Chord, Constellation Audio, FirstWatt, Focal Headphones & Loudspeakers, Furutech, Fyne Audio Loudspeakers, GigaFoil, Gryphon Audio, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MIT Cables, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Naim Audio, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Roon Labs, Shunyata Research, SimAudio, Stein Music Products, Stenheim Loudspeakers, Stillpoints, T+A Electronics, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. June 10, 2013, 05:54 PM #12
    cmalak
    cmalak is offline
    Senior Member
    cmalak's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    2,271
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: ARC REF 10 (Audio Research Reference 10) (mini) Review

    Mike...congrats! It's obviously a statement preamp and I hope it graces your system for many years to come. On trying it with just the DS450s, I would venture a guesss that you will lose a bit of the magic in terms of tonal color density, image 3dness and a bit of staging 3dness. I don't think you will hear much difference in terms of resolution or dynamics. My guess is by taking the 250s out you will just get a bit leaner and bleachier tonal pallette. Of course I am just guessing but it will be interesting to hear your thoughts if you do that experiment.

    Congrats again.
    Cyril
    Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
    Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, Dynavector 20X2-L, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Cables/Power/Other: Nordost Heimdall ICs, SCs / Shunyata Hydra 8, Shunyata Python Helix PC / VPI 16.5, HRS Nimbus isolation system
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  3. June 10, 2013, 06:12 PM #13
    Mike
    Mike is offline
    Audioshark
    Mike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    24,601
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: ARC REF 10 (Audio Research Reference 10) (mini) Review

    That was my guess too Cyril. The 450's are phenomenal for bass - and that's exactly all they do right now.
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Audio Research, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Avantgarde Acoustics, Avid HiFi, Ayre Acoustics, Berkeley Audio Design, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Chord, Constellation Audio, FirstWatt, Focal Headphones & Loudspeakers, Furutech, Fyne Audio Loudspeakers, GigaFoil, Gryphon Audio, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MIT Cables, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Naim Audio, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Roon Labs, Shunyata Research, SimAudio, Stein Music Products, Stenheim Loudspeakers, Stillpoints, T+A Electronics, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  4. June 10, 2013, 07:51 PM #14
    Mike
    Mike is offline
    Audioshark
    Mike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    24,601
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: ARC REF 10 (Audio Research Reference 10) (mini) Review

    I gave it a try (DS450M's) and other than the bass, I found it impossible to find one other area where the 450's outdid the 250's. Cymbals were harsh and digital sounding, the soundstage was completely flat. Voices sounded ok, but not as natural with good old tubes! The 250's just sound "real" and the 450's sounded very cold and mechanical.
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Audio Research, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Avantgarde Acoustics, Avid HiFi, Ayre Acoustics, Berkeley Audio Design, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Chord, Constellation Audio, FirstWatt, Focal Headphones & Loudspeakers, Furutech, Fyne Audio Loudspeakers, GigaFoil, Gryphon Audio, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MIT Cables, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Naim Audio, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Roon Labs, Shunyata Research, SimAudio, Stein Music Products, Stenheim Loudspeakers, Stillpoints, T+A Electronics, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  5. June 10, 2013, 08:18 PM #15
    dlb2
    dlb2 is offline
    Senior Member
    dlb2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    State of Confusion
    Posts
    3,768
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: ARC REF 10 (Audio Research Reference 10) (mini) Review

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    I gave it a try (DS450M's) and other than the bass, I found it impossible to find one other area where the 450's outdid the 250's. Cymbals were harsh and digital sounding, the soundstage was completely flat. Voices sounded ok, but not as natural with good old tubes! The 250's just sound "real" and the 450's sounded very cold and mechanical.
    Wow, that was fast! Thanks for doing that Mike. I guess the REF75 is back in the lead for my ARC amp. What was I thinking about when I thought that I could give up on tubes!
    Doug


    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  6. June 10, 2013, 08:20 PM #16
    Mike
    Mike is offline
    Audioshark
    Mike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    24,601
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: ARC REF 10 (Audio Research Reference 10) (mini) Review

    Quote Originally Posted by dlb2 View Post
    Wow, that was fast! Thanks for doing that Mike. I guess the REF75 is back in the lead for my ARC amp. What was I thinking about when I thought that I could give up on tubes!
    Never! Tubes and vinyl forever!
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Audio Research, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Avantgarde Acoustics, Avid HiFi, Ayre Acoustics, Berkeley Audio Design, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Chord, Constellation Audio, FirstWatt, Focal Headphones & Loudspeakers, Furutech, Fyne Audio Loudspeakers, GigaFoil, Gryphon Audio, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MIT Cables, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Naim Audio, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Roon Labs, Shunyata Research, SimAudio, Stein Music Products, Stenheim Loudspeakers, Stillpoints, T+A Electronics, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  7. June 10, 2013, 08:25 PM #17
    dlb2
    dlb2 is offline
    Senior Member
    dlb2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    State of Confusion
    Posts
    3,768
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: ARC REF 10 (Audio Research Reference 10) (mini) Review

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Never! Tubes and vinyl forever!
    That just makes me hungry!



    btw, what's your Avatar?
    Doug


    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  8. June 10, 2013, 08:29 PM #18
    socfan12
    socfan12 is offline
    Senior Member
    socfan12's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    3,597
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: ARC REF 10 (Audio Research Reference 10) (mini) Review

    Congrats, Mike, I'm really happy for you! Great to hear when someone finds just that right piece of gear for their system!


    Allen

    Speakers: Magico S7
    Amp: CH Precision A1
    Preamp: Trinity Preamp
    Phono: Trinity Phono
    TT: Kronos Sparta, Helena arm, Airtight PC-1
    Cables: Various: Nordost, Shunyata, Unity Audio, Ansuz


    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  9. June 10, 2013, 08:44 PM #19
    Mike
    Mike is offline
    Audioshark
    Mike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    24,601
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: ARC REF 10 (Audio Research Reference 10) (mini) Review

    Quote Originally Posted by dlb2 View Post
    That just makes me hungry!



    btw, what's your Avatar?
    LOL! The Devialet. Oh.... The irony! I'm thinking of the Wadia Intuition (like the Devialet) for the family room system. Clean and simple = happy wife. Tubes and vinyl upstairs in the main room.
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Audio Research, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Avantgarde Acoustics, Avid HiFi, Ayre Acoustics, Berkeley Audio Design, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Chord, Constellation Audio, FirstWatt, Focal Headphones & Loudspeakers, Furutech, Fyne Audio Loudspeakers, GigaFoil, Gryphon Audio, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MIT Cables, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Naim Audio, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Roon Labs, Shunyata Research, SimAudio, Stein Music Products, Stenheim Loudspeakers, Stillpoints, T+A Electronics, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  10. June 10, 2013, 08:45 PM #20
    Mike
    Mike is offline
    Audioshark
    Mike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    24,601
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: ARC REF 10 (Audio Research Reference 10) (mini) Review

    Quote Originally Posted by socfan12 View Post
    Congrats, Mike, I'm really happy for you! Great to hear when someone finds just that right piece of gear for their system!
    Thanks!! It really is a keeper. If anyone is in Florida - just drop me a line and come on by for a listen!
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Audio Research, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Avantgarde Acoustics, Avid HiFi, Ayre Acoustics, Berkeley Audio Design, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Chord, Constellation Audio, FirstWatt, Focal Headphones & Loudspeakers, Furutech, Fyne Audio Loudspeakers, GigaFoil, Gryphon Audio, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MIT Cables, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Naim Audio, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Roon Labs, Shunyata Research, SimAudio, Stein Music Products, Stenheim Loudspeakers, Stillpoints, T+A Electronics, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
 

 
Page 2 of 8 FirstFirst 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... LastLast
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.1
Copyright © 2019 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
Page generated in 0.21637011 seconds with 28 queries
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.3.2 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2019 DragonByte Technologies Ltd. Runs best on HiVelocity Hosting.
Audioshark Forum LLC, a Florida Corporation
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:12 PM.