Ref 6 test report

[La Dolce Vita]

Hi LDV,

Excellent post! My experience with the XP-30 and Ref 6 echo yours. I owned the XP-30 with the XA-100.5 and XA-100.8 and it is an outstanding preamp. Probably the most organic sounding solid state preamp I have heard. Also tremendous detail, nuance, dynamics and a low noise floor. But I have done a lengthy audition of the Ref 6 with the Aesthetix Atlas Signature monoblocks and Vandersteen 7 MkII and I agree with you that I prefer it over the XP-30. The Ref 6's midrange body, dimension, soundstage and dynamics put it a notch above the XP-30 in my book. It is an incredible component for the money. No need to buy a Ref 10 anymore in my opinion, it is that good!

Best,
Ken

Thanks Ken. Good to know that we are like-minded in the preamp department. [emoji6]

Seriously, I completely concur with you. I was using the XP-30 with my Hegel H30. Today, I use the Hegel H30 with the Ref 6. As we said, both combinations are great - it's just that the Ref 6 edges it out and offers just a bit more...

Your last statement really got to me...mainly because I have drawn the very same conclusion time and time again while enjoying the Ref 6.

But if all of this still is not quite good enough...well...think Pass XS! [emoji4]

Thanks for comparing notes and experiences with me.

Andy

 

[Dpod4]

Agreed that ARC has come out with a preamp as special as the ref2se has been to phono playback. I have it driving my marantz mono blocks and Maggies and it is magic. First preamp to allow me to move on from Air Tight $30k preamp. Every once in a while a brand like ARC comes out with a relatively affordable product that is the unicorn in its category. They accomplished this with the ref 6.