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Arc Ref 75se vs D'Agostino Momentum Stereo

    I have the opportunity to upgrade (?) to a D'Agostino Momentum Stereo for a good price. I was previously using a bought new  Ref 75 se which blew 2 tubes at the 30 hour mark. Despite being biased every 2 weeks. However, not only did the tubes blow ( due to the deterioration of the of the cathode coating of 2 tubes, I was told ) and the biasing resistor, it took a big chunk of the gold trace on the pcb and shortened the transformers as well.  This caused quite a stir between me, my dealer and Arc which took several months to resolve as I'm not based in the US. In the meantime, I was using a loaner ref 110 to tide me over. To make a long story short, just as my replacement 75 se (new ) arrives, I get an offer from my friend on the Momentums.  I have been traumatized by this experience so I was thinking of staying away from Arc power amps ( I've read some posts on similar problems ) hence willing to the try the Momentums.
     I am basically a tube guy so an SS amp even though the Momentums are suppose to be warm they don't have that tube bloom which I can't seem to live without.  I've been doing an A/B the last few days between the Ref 110(I know is' not the same without the kt 150's and all ) and the Momentum cause in case I get the Momentum's I can sell the Ref 75 SE sealed in the box as in "new".  I can seem to decide as both have their strengths and weaknesses. The rest of my system consists of

Ref 6 pre
Von Shweikert Audio Vr 44 Aktivs
Estoteric K07 sacd/cd player
VPI Prime with ADS and Benz Micro LPS-MR
IC's are all MIT - oracle and shotguns
PC's are all Shunyata alpha series.
Speaker Cables MIT Matrix 28
Room size 35 sq.m.

    Points I am considering, synergy among the same manufacturer's, the Vr 44's  are active so I don't really need a lot of power just enough for the tweeter and midrange. But those Momentums look gorgeous and the deal is quite good. From my recent A/B tests, IMHO I noticed that the ARC does better with vinyl while the Momentums does better on Cd and streaming from my macbook to the esoteric. Help me decide, your inputs are welcome. This offer expires in a few days so I have to decide quick. Thanx.
 
attymbb
zoera
5 posts
 
attymbb,

Well, of course, an all-tube chain will have more tube goodness, but to my ears, the benefits of all that extra power vs an increment in soundstage depth/width that the tube amp will provide is simply not worth the hassle of dealing with tubes in power amps.

As I said, you'll gain tons of flexibility and yours speakers (current and future) will thank you for it if you go with the Momentum!


admranger
142 posts
 
I have heard both the D'Agostino stereo and mono momentum amps.  They are brilliant.  I love ARC gear but the D'Agostino was something special in sound (and a unique look too).  Music is supposed to be about enjoyment and you had a bad experience that will always be in the back of your mind.  Get rid of the worry and run the D'Agostino.

I'd jump on the D'Agostino myself if I had the means. 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,229 posts
 
Very good comments and perspective expressed here. My bottom line is follow your instincts and gut feeling. Choose the amplifier that seems to involve you more emotionally with your music. This is the one that will make you the happiest long term. You want the passion and emotion that music provides. 
Best of luck,
Charles
dev
832 posts
 

I also own a REF6 & 75SE - zero issues, sorry to read about yours - that sucks big time but in the end you have a New unit.

I've had solid state melt downs so anything is possible with any gear.

I have tried a few solid state including the DAG, very nice combo and I like tube pre and ss amp combo but once I put the 75se back in I find it just provides sonic's over all that no other combo does. The voices, instruments, holograph stage - more realistic base to me too where others can sound mechanical.

I no longer crave looking and just enjoy listening which in the end it's all about.

Obviously it's a personal call and there are so many factors that come into play including the rest of your set-up and your personal taste, I would like to add that I find I can play any type of music and enjoy where as with other combo's not so much.

I also have a Esoteric disc spinner - K-01 but mainly a vinyl listener. 

Have my 75SE placed upon a Sistrum platform, a great product and also allows endless air flow.

It's a never ending journey!

wolf_garcia
6,598 posts
 
Tubes are more interesting, and I think they generally sound better than transistors (except for live pro sound reinforcement stuff, or I'm just lazy)…I recently stuck some extra tubes in a closed cel foam block so I could look at them instead of sticking 'em in a drawer (no, I'm not THAT obsessive…it was just a result of looking at a foam block and thinking, hmmm…). I like the sound of my single ended tube amp much more than any SS home audio amp I've owned (although I've used tube guitar amps since the 60s), and nobody, at least nobody I've heard of, casually rolls transistors in their SS amps ("Hey man, I just got some cool Texas Instruments MOSFETS I gotta try out."). However, If I could afford any SS amp out there, I'd get a Momentum because they look so cool…great design there Dan, and who doesn't like Bruguet watches?
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