Thank you all for sharing your insights, they are so valuable as I'm not in that willy-nilly switch components out phase in my life. It sounds like you all confirm that he VTL stuff is really good, but like everything there are some challenging trade-offs. I think I'm leaning to the ARC for a more conventional decision. If there were a high volume VTL dealer in town I might feel the safety in numbers thing. I greatly lament the fact that its so hard to hear components in our own systems prior to purchase. I also see that being a thrifty buyer myself I contribute to the problem of maintaining a healthy dealer network. Thanks again for the insight.
suffering over choice of VTL 6550 signature II or the ARC REF6se
I am trying to figure out if replacing my rogue RP7 (with Mazda rolled tubes) with an ARC REF6SE or the VTL 6550 signature II is the better choice. I have Sasha2s, dCS Bartok, JC1+s, Wadia 16 as a transport, Krell KSA150 running two passive subs, MiniDSP SHO as a crossover, Etheregen switch, Shunyata Hydra delta 6, very good wires, ISO Acoustic
footers on the Sashas, dedicated 20 circuits, HIFI fuses, no other sources will be used beyond digital. The new JC1+s massively improved my Sasha's performance as my Naim NAP DR300 could not handle the Sasha2s. I think there are gains to be made in the preamp over the Rogue RP6 which up to this point I was totally impressed with. Adding 17K into the mix also begs the question to upgrade the Bartok and go without a preamp as analogue will not be in my future anyway. My goal is to gain more air/ambience/imaging and maybe a touch more "sweetness". I read that the VTL will be more detailed and uncolored/true, while the REFse is also very respected as detailed and accurate but may sound a bit more rich/romantic/colored? VTL as a company appeals to me more that ARC as a company, but in the end its the sound to me! Have not heard either one in person nor an online shootout which I do find useful to hear the house sound of a component. I have lived with sibilance too long...want both detail and sweet music!
Thoughts???
footers on the Sashas, dedicated 20 circuits, HIFI fuses, no other sources will be used beyond digital. The new JC1+s massively improved my Sasha's performance as my Naim NAP DR300 could not handle the Sasha2s. I think there are gains to be made in the preamp over the Rogue RP6 which up to this point I was totally impressed with. Adding 17K into the mix also begs the question to upgrade the Bartok and go without a preamp as analogue will not be in my future anyway. My goal is to gain more air/ambience/imaging and maybe a touch more "sweetness". I read that the VTL will be more detailed and uncolored/true, while the REFse is also very respected as detailed and accurate but may sound a bit more rich/romantic/colored? VTL as a company appeals to me more that ARC as a company, but in the end its the sound to me! Have not heard either one in person nor an online shootout which I do find useful to hear the house sound of a component. I have lived with sibilance too long...want both detail and sweet music!
Thoughts???