Holy Toledo - Ref 40 preamp

Dpod4

Dpod4

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Joined
Apr 5, 2013
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Wow Wow Wow

Just inserted this preamp into the system today (no small chore). Harmonics...check. Soundstage...check. (On steroids)
Transients....check
No electronic haze...check
Musical flow...check
Transparency...check
Extension....check
Yin and Yang...quadruple check
Etc...check esp on VAC 450S
 
Dpod4 said:
Wow Wow Wow

Just inserted this preamp into the system today (no small chore). Harmonics...check. Soundstage...check. (On steroids)
Transients....check
No electronic haze...check
Musical flow...check
Transparency...check
Extension....check
Yin and Yang...quadruple check
Etc...check esp on VAC 450S
Click to expand...

Wow! Congrats!!! To add pictures - click on this little icon in the bar above (where you can change font, size, bold, etc.): Screen Shot 2013-04-05 at 10.47.12 PM.png

PM me if you get stuck.
 
Dpod4 said:
Wow Wow Wow

Just inserted this preamp into the system today (no small chore). Harmonics...check. Soundstage...check. (On steroids)
edit
Click to expand...

Excellent Darrin!

The Ref 40th anniv and Ref 10 are superb preamps. Congratulations! I bet your S5's never sounded so good.
 
I dont see the button to change font or add pix
 
Can't wait to get my Constellation amp from Audio Salon. John is familiar with Magico and VAC so he is helping me with my upgrades.
 
Dpod4 said:
Can't wait to get my Constellation amp from Audio Salon. John is familiar with Magico and VAC so he is helping me with my upgrades.
Click to expand...

I am dying to read your opinion of the Constellation amp.
 
I told my wife last night at dinner, in my life, I have never heard music that sounded so good, whether it was Duke Ellington, Diana Krall, or Lyle Lovett....it was all good. The ARC REF 40 really had the VAC 450S amp and Magico S5 speakers singing. Compared to other preamps I have had in my system, REF 40 scored highest on timbrel and harmonic realism, holography/soundstage, natural but incisive extension in highs and lows, and best of all....male and female vocals...oh my.
 
thanks...worked like a charm....was trying to do it from my iphone earlier
 
Hi Darrin

I am very happy for you. I can only imagine what you are hearing.

Congratulations!
 
Darrin, what a great system !!! I noticed you have VAC amps, did you ever try their pre ? I'm considering the ARC REF 5se for my setup. Congrats on the REF 40 !!!!!
 
Hi, Mark. I did have the VAC Renaissance Mk III preamp. It is an incredible (and good looking) preamp. I had the one with built-in phono stage. It beat all comers for the longest time, including a CJ GAT I bought (and then sold). But then a few weeks ago I tried a Hegel P30 preamp. It beat the VAC in my system (not by a wide margin tho, and not on all dimensions). Not sure if it would have beat the top of the line VAC Sig preamp, though (haven't heard that one). I really like the VAC house sound -- very resolute and natural sounding. No electronic sheen. The VAC Ren Mk III preamps are ergonomically special too -- simple, fully functional and straightforward. But at the end of the day, I knew I wasn't getting all that I could out of my VAC 450S, and the P30 gave me a big taste of how controlled my Magico S5 could sound.

I want to compare the Hegel P30 with my new ARC Ref 40, but from memory, the ARC Ref 40 is in yet another league, transforming what I am hearing from my VAC Statement 450 Stereo tube amp and my sources.

I'm about to have some more items in my system including the Constellation Centaur amp, so seeing what preamps drive it best will be a fun test.

My older brother convinced about the merits of the Audio Research preamps...his system is ARC, Linn Sondek, and big Maggies. He just bought the Ref 5SE and was smitten big time. I was able to pick up a Ref 40 at a great price so I joined the bandwagon, and am glad I did. The Ref 5SE is an incredible preamp and I would venture can easily compete with the top of the line VAC preamp.

MDP said:
Darrin, what a great system !!! I noticed you have VAC amps, did you ever try their pre ? I'm considering the ARC REF 5se for my setup. Congrats on the REF 40 !!!!!
Click to expand...
 
Glad the REF 40 is exceeding your expectations. It's destined to be a classic particularly due to the limited production run. Great looking pre too!
 
Darrin,

All great gear. You are on fire. I can not keep up any more. I thought Mike was bad, but I think you are going to get the torch passed to you. Congrats on some great discoveries.
 
Joe buddy i look to you for inspiration for always reaching up, never giving up, forever trading up!

joeinid said:
Darrin,

All great gear. You are on fire. I can not keep up any more. I thought Mike was bad, but I think you are going to get the torch passed to you. Congrats on some great discoveries.
Click to expand...
 
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