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Audio Research Reference Linestages

Just want to hear if anyone else have a similar experience that I do.
Some 8 years ago I bought my first ARC Ref linestage.
It was Ref2 mk2, which I first enjoyed very much, but soon I found the bass to be to close in the soundstage and the treble too far away which never allowed the soundstage to get really homogenous and create the real music event.
When comparing with a Conrad Johnson LS17 it was very easy to hear that Ref2 mk2 had some issues with it's soundstage.
But I'm a fan of ARC's high energy "big" sound so I bought a used Ref One (later model with Infinicaps and detachable powercord), and it easily beat Ref2 mk2 in every way.
There I had the perfect soundstage with great dynamics.
It simply sounded more complete and homogenous than Ref2 mk2. Still not the last air in the highest treble that C-J LS17 have, but the rest was much better with Ref One.
Recently I tried to replace my Ref One with Ref 3, but after 3 months I gave up.
I found Ref3 to lack dynamics and the perfect soundstage of my Ref One. It simply sounded less involving and a bit lame compared to my Ref One.

Anyone else that have kept their Ref One simply because the find it to sound better than later ARC Ref linestages ?
flex2
lawence_carpio's avatar
lawence_carpio
24 posts
 
Flex2,

I'm not good in describing sound,I would say listening to Ref 5,just like the sound of Ref 1 having the "Loudness" button pressed in,all spectrum is enhanced,love it or hate it different preference,my friend has Wilson's Grand Slam III,it gave stronger effect,peoples like the Ref 5 as if they have really large speaker :(
tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
Flex 2... I had been using the Ref 3 for the last three years and decided I would try the 40th Anniversary Ref . It was a step or two up from the Ref 3 . but I thought I should be open minded and try every other preamp I could get my hands on , even though I loved ARC products and the company . In the end It was the Ayre KXR that got me a step closer to the musicians than anything else , without any added artifacts . See my system link for more details .
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,602 posts
 
.
I've had the Ref 3 for about four years. I can't imagine a better preamp. I don't dare listen to the Ref5 or the 40th Anniversary models because I'm sure that I won't rest until I get one if I hear them.

I've owned the SP9, LS-10, Ref1, and the Ref2 MkII. Each newer model better than its predecessor.
.
flex2 OP
30 posts
 
Thanks for your comments so far Lawence_carpio.
Seems like you have very similar experiences with Ref One.
Mine is the lastest version too.
Love to hear more about your Ref One adventures and what made you like it...

Tmsorosk:
Ayre ?
Hmmmm...
Might need to hear one of those when I get the chance.

Mitch4t:
Thanks for sharing your experience with ARC products.
Have a similar history with ARC myself, but a different result. Ref 2 mk2 and Ref 3 was not my cup of tea.
lawence_carpio's avatar
lawence_carpio
24 posts
 
Hi flex2,

Mind tell me what is your others associated gears?...
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