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Conrad Johnson vs. Audio Research - Sonic Comparison Impressions

Hello all...and Happy New Year!

After getting some great input from several forum members (jafant, oblgny & prof), I wanted to get some opinions from you all regarding the sonic differences, in general, between these two fine manufacturers.  For example, between them, which sounds warmer/revealing, which is more laid-back/has more speed, which has a better bottom-end/has more up-top, etc.  

Reason I'm asking is that my current speakers are Thiel CS-3.5's, which I enjoy immensely.  However, while my integrated is doing a fine job of driving them (160 watts @ 4-ohms), I know that getting them better amplification (not just more watts) will open them up even more.  Also, I do think that getting some tubes in the system will help tame some of the brightness I get with some of my CD's and digital files, as the Thiel's can be ruthlessly revealing at times.  I am somewhat hesitant to switching to an all-tube system, as I really enjoy the speed and "slam" afforded by solid-state gear, not to mention the relative "worry-free" operation.  But, I do not deny the lush musicality that tubes can bring...that almost vinyl-like sound no matter the source.  Count me among the conflicted, I suppose.

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions...Enjoy the music!

Arvin

128x128arvincastro

Showing 1 response by lostbears

lostbears's avatar
lostbears
537 posts
 

  jafant may have a better opinion here since he also has Thiel speakers.

 In general Conrad Johnson is a bit warmer\lusher. ARC is a bit more holographic and detailed. But it really depends on the piece and even time period. I might suggest you start with a tube CD player and or DAC. Tube front end pieces are a lot less hassle than a tube amp as there are no power tubes. So there are no tubes to bias. I have an ARC Ref CD 7 and it is very smooth and analog sounding. The CD7 DAC does not have any inputs but there are many other tube CD players that do. 


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