Holy Toledo - Ref 40 preamp

This is really exciting. I'm hoping that when we get the REF 10 in for review, that maybe Darrin can be persuaded to drop by to geek out with the REF 40. I've got a REF 5SE here and have just purchased a mint SP-11, so we can do a little bit of comparison between ARC flagships, new and old.
 
Count me in.....Listening to gear at Casa De Tone is always a treat -- like visiting the audio version of Willy Wonka at the Chocolate Factory..too much good stuff at every turn. I will bring the Heineken and Doritos.
 
Last edited:
This will be an awesome shoot out. I am excited to read about it. Darrin, you are so lucky to live in a great part of the country. Have fun!
 
Yes, I'm lucky there are many good audiophiles here, and some of the most personable authentic industry leaders like Jeff at ToneAudio, and Kurt Doslu at Echo Audio. Lots of good peeps.
This will be an awesome shoot out. I am excited to read about it. Darrin, you are so lucky to live in a great part of the country. Have fun!
 
Plus there's Jonathan Tinn at Blue Light Audio in Portland. Always puts together a great sounding room at shows.
 
Darrin...great system and congrats on the Ref 40...big time! Did you get a used one or were you able to score a new one from a dealer (I had heard a while back that there were still a few at some dealers)? Also, will be interested in your thoughts on the VAD 450 vs Centaur shoot-out.
 
This is really exciting. I'm hoping that when we get the REF 10 in for review, that maybe Darrin can be persuaded to drop by to geek out with the REF 40. I've got a REF 5SE here and have just purchased a mint SP-11, so we can do a little bit of comparison between ARC flagships, new and old.

Jeff...it's nice to see you here as well. Looking forward to your commentary on all things audio!
 
Hi Cyrill - i was able to get a low hour ARC ref 40 thru a trusted dealer. Absolute mint condition, not even fingerprints on the plexiglass and perfectly packaged as new. For me better than new since burn in is less of a chore. Constellation Centaur arrives Tuesday. Was/am able to insert a Hegel H30 into the comparison as well. VAC 450S is sounding awfully good paired with Ref40. HEGEL is nipping at heels of ARC and VAC though but loses out in texture and holographic realism.
 
Hi Cyrill - i was able to get a low hour ARC ref 40 thru a trusted dealer. Absolute mint condition, not even fingerprints on the plexiglass and perfectly packaged as new. For me better than new since burn in is less of a chore. Constellation Centaur arrives Tuesday. Was/am able to insert a Hegel H30 into the comparison as well. VAC 450S is sounding awfully good paired with Ref40. HEGEL is nipping at heels of ARC and VAC though but loses out in texture and holographic realism.

Really curious to know about the matching between the Centaur and the REF40. I have tried many solid state amplifiers with the REF40 - the DartZeel was the best match I could find until now, but the REF150 or the REF250's were until now the real winners by a reasonable margin. However I have listened to the Centaur/Virgo pair playing much better than what a high power SS amplifier is supposed to play!
 
Really curious to know about the matching between the Centaur and the REF40. I have tried many solid state amplifiers with the REF40 - the DartZeel was the best match I could find until now, but the REF150 or the REF250's were until now the real winners by a reasonable margin. However I have listened to the Centaur/Virgo pair playing much better than what a high power SS amplifier is supposed to play!

Hello. It sounds really really good as a pairing. Ref 40 plus Centaur is best I have ever heard. Want to demo the Virgo II tho. Others begore me also own Ref 40 plus Centaur and state it is great match. I read one post on another forum where person said in his system ARC Ref 40 with Centaur and Magicos beat same setup with Virgo. And stated Centaur with Ref40 sounded better with Magicos than ref 40 plus new arc ref amps.
 
Hello Darrin,
You have a super nice system congrats, as I was reading I was wondering why you are trying all kinds of amps and not a REF ARC amp, this is something that you might want to try for synergy, and again the Constellation Centaur is a great amp hard to beat. Do you mind sharing what cables are you using and filtration systems if any.
Thanks,
Angel
 
Hi, Angel, nice to meet you here at AudioShark. I had what I believe to the best tube amp on Planet Earth (VAC Statement 450S) and I believe the Constellation Centaur sounds much better in my system with S5 (and the ARC Ref 40). I am using Audience SE cabling and power cords and some Harmonic Tech as well. I go for cables that DO NOT add or subtract anything especially in the dynamics department. I am using the Audience AR12TSS power conditioner, but to my surprise the Constellation (unlike every other amp I have tried) sounds best straight into a dedicated 20amp outlet. The ARC Ref 40 with Centaur and Magico S5 speakers is a match made in heaven. Hard to imagine even the Constellation Virgo II beating that combo...but willing to audition and try with an open mind (set of ears). What I hear now is better than I thought was possible and I am so very hard to please...I am PITA on what is acceptable and good.
 
Last edited:
This is really exciting. I'm hoping that when we get the REF 10 in for review, that maybe Darrin can be persuaded to drop by to geek out with the REF 40. I've got a REF 5SE here and have just purchased a mint SP-11, so we can do a little bit of comparison between ARC flagships, new and old.

Darrin, now this has me jealous, what a day that would be & a lot of mileage for Jeff too. It's really great to read of the journey that we are all on here & yours has certainly peaked my interest.
 
Darrin, now this has me jealous, what a day that would be & a lot of mileage for Jeff too. It's really great to read of the journey that we are all on here & yours has certainly peaked my interest.

Thanks! Jeff has the ultimate man audio cave - can't wait to hear all that new equipment especially with the Blades.
 
Back
Top