ARC Ref 75, MC275 or Manley Snappers ? ....

Lol! Guess I know which way your leaning on this mike.
The biggest reason I've always stayed away from ARC gear is that they just have way too many
Models and different numbers and its real confusing. I've heard older ARC gear that was outstanding and older stuff that was just ok. So I was never sure which to buy or not to buy.
But with your knowledge of their stuff I might ask you some questions and give it a try. Think I could get a good deal and trade my snappers? I'm at the point where I know I can now buy and sell without losing too much and try lots of different amps in the near future.
Or just wait and buy yours and joes stuff when you upgrade. Lol.
I'm already getting ready to sell the hovland and buy a steelhead.
Who needs a preamp!!!
 
Petro85 said:
Lol! Guess I know which way your leaning on this mike.
The biggest reason I've always stayed away from ARC gear is that they just have way too many
Models and different numbers and its real confusing. I've heard older ARC gear that was outstanding and older stuff that was just ok. So I was never sure which to buy or not to buy.
But with your knowledge of their stuff I might ask you some questions and give it a try. Think I could get a good deal and trade my snappers? I'm at the point where I know I can now buy and sell without losing too much and try lots of different amps in the near future.
Or just wait and buy yours and joes stuff when you upgrade. Lol.
I'm already getting ready to sell the hovland and buy a steelhead.
Who needs a preamp!!!
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be so quick to sell those Manley Snappers. They are terrific amps and given that Joe has a Manley Chinook - they might make more sense for him to be honest. I have not heard the Snappers in my system - but I would presume (and correct me if I'm wrong) - but they are traditional tubey sounding amps (like 99% of tube amps)? I love traditional tubey sounding amps - like the mc275, VAC, etc.

ARC tube amps are very different. They have a lot of solid state characteristics, while retaining the good stuff of tubes. Do they have faults? Hell yes - no amp is perfect. The 250's do a great job of controlling the bass and there is plenty of it - but its certainly not up to the control (tight, quickness) of the Classe. I would say the 250's better DEFINE bass than the Classe - but it's not as tight.

Stick with those Manley's!

Mike
 
Oh I don't plan on getting rid of anything yet. But I'm never satisfied and since thinking pulsars or go floorstanders salon2's I'm looking ahead to what if the snappers can't drive em. But I'm thinking they can.
Manley does not have that gushy tubey sound that my friends 275's had. There a little like my vk60 was but with some more kick and less harsh. I'm always looking ahead. But speakers, table trade, cartridge and steelhead are next.
 
When I replaced The Ref 75 with my D'Agostino Stereo, I didn't feel that the Dag had any less tube magic that the Ref 75 had. It was just better is every way. So if you want a great amp with a little less of the Dag sound the Ref 75 is the way to go. If you want a more traditional tube sound, then the Ref 75 is not the way to go.

I would buy another one in a heart beat if I wanted/needed a Dag-lite sound for a system. And when I say Dag-lite, if I had to put a number of it I would say the Ref 75 is 93.5% of the Dag for 32% of the price.
 
Mike is right in his assessment, ARC amplifiers are different in tone from other tube gear, like he said characteristics of SS but with the magic of tube and are capable of producing great sound up there with the best.
 
Well Joe, the consensus seems to favor the ARC.

Let me think about this for a nanosecond:ninja: Yup the ARC Ref 75:snicker::snicker:
 
CR141 said:
Well Joe, the consensus seems to favor the ARC.

Let me think about this for a nanosecond:ninja: Yup the ARC Ref 75:snicker::snicker:
Click to expand...

:exciting:

Hmmmmm. Other options are popping up all over the place. OMG! Stay tuned.
 
I should also add .

I replaced a fine pair of ARC REF250's with the REF75 and haven't missed them once. It is a stunning amp for sure.
 
joeinid said:
:exciting:

Hmmmmm. Other options are popping up all over the place. OMG! Stay tuned.
Click to expand...
Popcorn_smiley.jpg
 
Etunes said:
I should also add .

I replaced a fine pair of ARC REF250's with the REF75 and haven't missed them once. It is a stunning amp for sure.
Click to expand...

I know well how good ARC is with Nola speakers. I sold my Nola Micro Reference to another member here and he loves them. I do miss their musicality and sweet sound. I am sure your Nola KO are wonderful.
 
Rene, of fidelio recordings, has great recommendations for biamping with two ref 75 amps...
 
Joe, I LOVE your new avatar!!!!! Hints of things to come?!!:woot::exciting:
 
For what it is worth, I just purchased a REF 75 to replace my REF 250s to drive my Nola Baby Grands Series IIs. The REF 75 sounds better. Less compressed, cleaner, less hifi and more "in the room". A magical amp indeed!
 
Battles said:
For what it is worth, I just purchased a REF 75 to replace my REF 250s to drive my Nola Baby Grands Series IIs. The REF 75 sounds better. Less compressed, cleaner, less hifi and more "in the room". A magical amp indeed!
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum Battles!

Thank you for your recommendation. I think that's the way I am headed.
 
I think you'll be pleased. As you may have seen, the REF 75 is Carl Marchisotto's amp of choice for his $200K Concert Grands. Now I know why! Should you know anyone who'd like a good deal on two relatively new REF 250s please send them my way :)

Best,

Battles
 
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