Here's my experience: I just sold an SP-11 that I owned for quite some time. I had been increasingly unhappy with a higher frequency glare and sibilance from the SP-11. In my search for a new preamp I borrowed a friend's Ref 1 for several weeks. Same sonic signature as the SP-11 in my system with marginally better staging. Same high frequency glare and sibilance. The owner of the Ref 1 had just bought a BAT VK50. I tried the VK50 in my system and was amazed. Better bass resolvement, no glare and sibilance. I ended up buying the VK50SE from a dealer here. I still beleive that ARC products are a good value, but in two very dissimilar systems, the BAT high-end preamps just plain sound better, in spades! Perhaps you may want to consider a VK50/VK50SE loaner from your dealer before you commit to the REF2 upgrade. I cannot comment on the REF2 but I can only assume that it has the ARC house sound as well. If you have any questions, Email me at: [email protected]
