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ARC vsi75 versus ARC reference 75

It may be too early to answer this question, but any ARC dealers out there might have an opinion. I am planning my reaching 65 and not pegging out, semi retirement present. It was going to be the ARC reference 75 power amp with LS17 pre, which I heard at a small show recently. The 75 really does have something magical about it.

Now ARC are trying to make my life more complicated by bringing out an integrated based on the reference 75. I have an integrated now and would love to stick to an integrated amp, so the question is how close would they be in performance. 75 watts is more than enough to drive my 96db sensitivity Daedalus speakers. Thanks
david12
david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
I am going to compare them in the store, when the integrated is in, I will report back. To change the subject slightly. I don't know anything about the hierachy of ARC Pre's. I know the LS27 is better than the LS17, how about some older units like an LS 26, how would that compare with a 27. This is just if I do find the separates are clearly better than the integrated
david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
Well I went for an audition today and unfortunately, it was'nt close. The VSi75 did'nt have many miles on the clock and the Ref 75 was matched with an LS27, not a 17, which the dealer did'nt have. The difference was really quite stark, the integrated was closed in, dull in comparison, lacking any drive. The Reference 75 which also was'nt fully run in was alive, a wide deep soundstage, great detail and tonal richness, just a wonderful sound.

So I ordered the Ref 75. Thanks for all your input.
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,602 posts
 
.
Well that wasn't a fair fight. No way that integrated had a
chance against the LS27 and the Ref 75.
.
david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
I agree, I would have prefered to have heard it with the LS 17 or LS 17SE, but needs must. I still feel the difference was so dramatic, that much or most of it, was down to the amp itself. The dealer will come and install it and hopefully will bring a 17LS with him. In the short term, I will be using a Music First Audio Passive anyway, because I do'nt have the room or money for an ARC pre.
When HiFi+, reviewed the Ref 75 a few years ago, they did so with an LS 27 and Music First pre and found it different, not worse.
david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
I should have added that the dealer had a second hand Ref 110, with K120 valves fitted, which is said to bring it close to the Ref 150. We compared the other 2 amps with the 110. The result was much closer, but I still preferred the Ref 75, a richer, fully sound, not coloured or lacking detail, just richer tonality
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