ARC vsi75 versus ARC reference 75

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

Good choice! Congrats on the purchase.

Mike

Just a quick update, the Ref 75 arrived recently, just leaving the small matter of paying for it. I think it is my most expensive purchase ever. Is it worth it? Yes absolutely, I think. Still worrying about the cost.

It has real drive and crispness in the sound, a deep soundstage, detailed , without being grainy. It really is a special piece of kit, I would recommend to anyone. I have sensitive Daedalus speakers, but still, I have'nt managed to move the power meters more than a micron, yet, bags of power.


The dealer domo'd the unit with an ARC ref 3, which was very nice. I managed to pick up a self build version of the Music First Audio baby reference, for $1200 and I prefer it. So a good passive pre is a good way to go.

Thanks for your advice

David,
great to know that you are enjoying the ARC/Daedalus combo.
Any thoughts on the how ARC Ref75 compares to SET amps(300B, 845 or similar) in terms of timber/layering/3Dness of the instruments within the soundstage?

Thanks.

Rawhit
By chance, I think I can answer that. I have used SET's for years and the 20watt Ayon Spark is my backup amp at the moment. I like it a lot, clearly and perhaps suprisingly, better, in my view, than the Viva Solista I had several years ago.

It is perhaps unfair to compare it with a power amp twice it's price, but it is clearly softer, less dynamic, with a definite loss of detail and imaging. It is a typical tube sound, very slightly warm and lacking dynamics. The ARC retains the organic tube sound, but is markedly better in imaging, detail, base, dynamics, both macro and micro. I would say soundstage depth, which I value, is about the same. The ARC for me, is hard to fault, maybe soundstage width could be better, but depth matters more to me.

Comparing with a good SS amp and Lou, the Daedalus designer, likes Modwright, I'm afraid I just don't get it. I find even good SS, which the Modwright is, grainy and unmusical. It sounds like recorded music, not music, but that's just my view and priority