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Audio Research ref3, vtl 7.5 vs FS paramount MKII

Has anybody ever compared Audio Research Ref 3 or Vtl 7.5 against First sound Paramount MKII? I leave in Europe and there are no First sound distributors therefore, I have never had the opportunity to test it myself.
My amp is an Accuphase A60, cpd Audio Aero 192mkII and Harbeth monitor 30 as speakers.

Can anybody help me please?

Thanks
salvo
curio's avatar
curio
305 posts
 
"You might be surprised but I owned a pair of Avalon Opus(25000 Euro) and I replaced them with the Harbeth"

Hello Drubin
I'm not surprised! ehe
I had the Harbeth C7ESII and I know how magical is the Harbeth production
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
Marco_esposito - 2800h is indeed a bit too much for the 6550 in Ref 3.

If you are about to change 6550 tube, I would strongly suggest trying NOS TungSol 6550 tube. The improvement is very substantial. It brought my Ref 3 to another level sonicly. There is a thread on this topic:

ARC Ref 3: Tung-Sol 6550 in power supply?
marco_esposito
17 posts
 
Hello Elberoth2. I did order the 6550 TungSol. Since I did not find a NOS Tungsol in Europe (I live in Italy) I went for a current one. I hope this will work. I will keep the audiogoner posted on my experience. Your assistance to fing the Tube you recommend would be much appreciated.
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
I got mine for $200 from Andy from Vintage Tube Services.

Tube World also carries them, although they went considerably up in price recently.
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