Ref 6 Has Arrived

cmalak said:
Joe which amp are you pairing the Ref 6 with?
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Still going through break in, but my McIntosh MC75's, 28BSST2's and ART monos have taken turns so far. I am amazed at how different these amps sound compared to my GAT and McIntosh C52 preamps in the system. More lit up presentation, more air, bigger and ballsier sound stage.
 
joeinid said:
Still going through break in, but my McIntosh MC75's, 28BSST2's and ART monos have taken turns so far. I am amazed at how different these amps sound compared to my GAT and McIntosh C52 preamps in the system. More lit up presentation, more air, bigger and ballsier sound stage.
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...
.... I've been trying to tell you guys for eons to get a decent pre....:what2::tutu::ignore:
 
Ha!

Yes, you have. But, the GAT is no slouch and I don't know how, long term, the Ref 6 will fare compared to what I either like or am used to hearing.

I guess it's true, the preamp is the heart of a system.

Right now, I'm a little confused. Time will tell, but I need to get past break in to be sure. I distinctly remember when the GAT went from, oh my god, to OH MY GOD!

Different is not always better.



bzr said:
...
.... I've been trying to tell you guys for eons to get a decent pre....:what2::tutu::ignore:
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joeinid said:
Ha!

Yes, you have. But, the GAT is no slouch and I don't know how, long term, the Ref 6 will fare compared to what I either like or am used to hearing.

I guess it's true, the preamp is the heart of a system.

Right now, I'm a little confused. Time will tell, but I need to get past break in to be sure. I distinctly remember when the GAT went from, oh my god, to OH MY GOD!

Different is not always better.
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Or the GAT Mk. 2. Don't forget that the GAT is tremendously sensitive to what is is placed upon. It's a totally different piece on the SRA platform. Dynamics, low end and transparency are far better.
 
Thank you Myles. I am contemplating both at some point in the future, depending what I decide to do with the Ref 6 :D

The GAT has been the longest running piece in my system, for good reason. And for me, that really says something.

Myles B. Astor said:
Or the GAT Mk. 2. Don't forget that the GAT is tremendously sensitive to what is is placed upon. It's a totally different piece on the SRA platform. Dynamics, low end and transparency are far better.
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joeinid said:
Thank you Myles. I am contemplating both at some point in the future, depending what I decide to do with the Ref 6 :D

The GAT has been the longest running piece in my system, for good reason. And for me, that really says something.
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I have my GAT under 3 x Stillpoint 5's - love what they do.
 
madfloyd said:
Is the bass 'tubey' sounding?
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Absolutely not IMO. It will sound like whatever the source of the bass was. Drums sound like drums, upright acoustic bass sounds like upright acoustic bass, electric bass played through a bass amp will sound like that particular combo, etc.
 
mep said:
Absolutely not IMO. It will sound like whatever the source of the bass was. Drums sound like drums, upright acoustic bass sounds like upright acoustic bass, electric bass played through a bass amp will sound like that particular combo, etc.
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Thanks. I haven't heard the Ref 10 but I have owned the Ref 3 and Ref 5 and found the bass to be their Achilles heel.
 
madfloyd said:
Thanks. I haven't heard the Ref 10 but I have owned the Ref 3 and Ref 5 and found the bass to be their Achilles heel.
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I have no experience with the Ref 3 or Ref 5, but supposedly the Ref 5 was much better than the Ref 3 and many thought the Ref 5SE was a bigger leap over the Ref 5 than the Ref 5 was over the Ref 3. I owned the Ref 5SE for almost 2 years and I loved it. However, the Ref 5SE isn't in the same league as the Ref 6. If you are mildly interested in the Ref 6, you should try and hear a Ref 6 in your own system so you can form your own opinion. Any dealer that doesn't loan you gear is a fool.
 
Of course for the retail price of the Ref 6 you might be able pick up a used Reference 40th Anniversary and you might never feel the need to upgrade again.
 
Barry said:
Of course for the retail price of the Ref 6 you might be able pick up a used Reference 40th Anniversary and you might never feel the need to upgrade again.
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Researching the Ref 40 (owned it) and the Ref 6 - ARC has placed the Ref 6 performance closer to the Ref 10 than to the Ref 40. Of course at this level it's all stupid good.
 
Dpod4 said:
Researching the Ref 40 (owned it) and the Ref 6 - ARC has placed the Ref 6 performance closer to the Ref 10 than to the Ref 40. Of course at this level it's all stupid good.
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Could you define the context of 'placed'? Are you referring to price?
 
It would be interesting to hear how the lower register of a cello sounds with the new SE amps.
 
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