Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.
10-15-07
I know that my upgraded preamp had no burn-in time on it. th ... Sherod
10-15-07
I am also under the understanding that the trial period is 3 ... Grannyring
10-15-07
"oh, the life of the continuously upgrading audio hobbi ... Stltrains
10-16-07
Stltrains, if you have bought a good set of early 60's sieme ... Sherod
10-16-07
The free audiogon trial period is 10 days. if one wishes to ... Tvad
10-16-07
i would agree with tvad. i know from experience his wire ta ... Grannyring
10-16-07
Bill, i have tried a couple of the ah interconnects and pr ... Sherod
10-16-07
I just have to toast your auditory memory. you are listening ... Gammajo
10-16-07
Joe, i realize that the auditory memory is poor, however, ... Sherod
10-16-07
Ah, so you use as your benchmark the welll memorized live in ... Gammajo
10-16-07
Only mental notes. i would like to have the two preamp versi ... Sherod
10-16-07
Got the ccas today opened up 2.1 and i must say the layout i ... Stltrains
10-17-07
I have had my 2.1 upgraded from 2.0 for two weeks now and i ... Grannyring
10-17-07
Strltrains - also take off the rubber dampers and see what i ... Gammajo
10-17-07: Markwatkiss
Gentlemen,this thread is smokin.As you may recall I acquired a REF 3 several weeks ago and have been auditioning and comparing with my TP 2.0nB.Time to share my impressions.
The system:
SOURCE:Denon 3910,fully modified by Audio Reference Mods
INTERCONNECTS:RCA silver handcrafted one metre length
PRE AMPS:AH TP 2.0nB/REF 3
INTERCONNECTS:Silver Bullet 6 XLR's
AMPLIFICATION:Cary V12,modified by Sounds Good To Me(really)
SPEAKER CABLES:ZU Bi wire
SPEAKERS:Innersound EROS 3 Electrostats (passive version)
POWER CORDS:Several after market power cords none of which is expensive or exotic.
To particularize the tube complement in the AH is a quad of
Siemens NOS ECC81.Power cord is a simple Belden one metre length.
Tube complement in the REF 3 is the a quad of Sovtek 6H30P dual triodes plus a 6L6GC and 6H30P in the power supply.
Power cord is factory issue and the size of a small Anaconda I might add.
Both pre amps were auditioned on a variety of my favourite recordings.
FINDINGS:
1.The REF 3 gets everything right,from the strike of a piano key to the pluck of a guitar string.On live recordings there is just more information,in one instance the distinct variations in the pace of the audience hanclapping was evident.A ring of a cell phone and the chuckle of a band member,although subtle was audible.
2.There is a sense of utter poise to the music,the performance is effortless,kinda like Roger Federer on the tennis court.Dynamics are fast and rich,timbres deep and profound.The timing and texture of presence and aliveness is seductive.
3.The balance control is a neat feature,also the remote,now I don't have to rise as often to adjust the volume or pour another glass of wine.
4.Build quality,fit and finish are superb which I would expect from AR,and so it is with the AH.
5.In both units the bass is authoritative and accurate,I could discern no audible difference.The REF 3 shines in the mid and upper ranges it's like uncovering another layer of music,just that little extra level of detail.
In terms of low noise floor both units exhibited dead black silence.
Soundstaging and presentation went to the REF,but not by much.
WHAT DO I KNOW:
1.I know the REF 3 is 4 times the $$$$ of my AH.I find that the REF 3 is superior in the overall presentation of music.
I am of the opinion that side by side blind immediate comparisons would bear this out.Having said that,I believe,taking into account your comments,that if I upgrade my unit to the TP2.1 status ,splurge on a quad of Siemens cca's,and upgrade the power cord that the performance would equal the REF 3 and I would still be ahead about $5K.
2.There is something endearing about AH,Joseph Chow and his trusty left winger that appeals to me.I want these guys to make it and I'm very content to stay in this famalia.
3.I believe I can make improvements elesewhere in my system that will give me a bigger bang for the buck.
I hope you enjoyed the read,it was my first time.
Markwatkiss (Threads | Answers | This Thread)
10-17-07
Please be gentle with me my audiophile friends. i am conside ... Andrewdoan
10-17-07
my upgraded preamp just passed the 100-hour mark. mixed emo ... Sherod
10-17-07
Easy sherod, you'll get there in due time, i know about pati ... Rx8man
10-17-07
I would agree that sonically the tp 2.1n preamp version is c ... Sherod
10-17-07
Sherod, yes it is. really want to hear what victor has to sa ... Grannyring
10-17-07
While i am getting more tube warmth the new version does lac ... Grannyring
10-17-07
I have high hopes, bill. at this juncture, i'm kinda sorta m ... Sherod
10-17-07
Gammajo thanks for the input on my pinging or i should say m ... Stltrains
10-17-07
Microphony is typical of siemens cca tubes. they tend to be ... Tvad
10-17-07
Stltrains, regarding the pinging sound on one of your cha ... Sherod
10-17-07
Andrewdoan, i'm sorry that no one has answered your reque ... Sherod
10-17-07
"over time i have to agree with sherod, the newer versi ... Sherod
10-17-07
Stltrains - the other responders are right that nos can be m ... Gammajo
10-17-07
Mark - thanks for your detailed, cogent and honest ref 3 com ... Gammajo
10-17-07
Hello guys and let me say thats what i love about this great ... Stltrains
10-17-07
Stltrains, i'm glad to hear that you isolated the bad tube ... Sherod
10-17-07
Good detective work, stltrains. do you notice a more dynamic ... Gammajo
10-17-07
stltrains, gammajo and sherod. just wanted to add these ob ... La45
10-17-07
I put a ec 88 in slot 2 to have balance. contacted my tube m ... Stltrains
10-17-07
La45, according to victor, the new wiring harness has a lo ... Sherod
10-17-07
For the technically-minded, the new output caps in the tp 2. ... Sherod
10-18-07
I use balanced in and outs on my 2.1 upgraded preamp. i unde ... Grannyring
10-18-07
Sherod, are you finding the voices are recessed in relation ... Tvad
10-18-07
Grant, my upgraded preamp just passed the 120 hour mark. ... Sherod
10-18-07
Wide and shallow image. that's precisely what i heard in my ... Tvad
10-18-07
Wide and shallow image. that's precisely what i heard in my ... Tvad
10-18-07
I do not find my upgraded version softer or recessed. my exp ... Grannyring
10-18-07
precisely. it must be an issue of impedance/gain matching. ... Tvad
10-18-07
I will look up the specs for my ss amp tonight. i am also ge ... Grannyring
10-18-07
I auditioned the b version and used the balanced outputs. th ... Tvad
10-18-07
Grant, i feel a bit uncomfortable mainly because i seem to ... Sherod
10-18-07
Another vote for keeping the discussion on the thread as i t ... Gammajo
10-18-07
It's interesting that sherod and i hear the same essential t ... Tvad
10-18-07
Well all i dont have a audition 2.1 any longer. i'm not lett ... Stltrains
10-18-07
Grant, i'm not so sure yet that the issue is with the amp ... Sherod
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