Audio Research Ref: CD8

Please do not consider me pedantic, but I think that such thing as the "6h30 sound" does not exist.
I owned Audio Research REF2 mk2 , REF3 , conrad johnson ACT2 and ACT2 series 2 (all using the 6h30 exclusively in the amplifying stages) and could not find a common trait between these four preamplifiers. A friend of mine owns a BAT phono unit and it does not sound as a cj or an ARC!
Circuit topology, operating points, power supply and choice of passives have great importance in sound balance. I think that the main reason why many manufacturers are using the 6h30 is because it is reliable and lasts long - I recently measured the 6h30s of my REF3 that have 4093 and they still measure as new!

Didn't CJ dump the 6h30's in their statement preamp for around $20k...the name escapes me, sorry! i still feel the 6H30 sound is cooler and less colorful than the 6922 based gear.

Wow! Excellent comments on the now broken-in CD8. Thanks.

It doesn't surprise me at all that the break-in time is over 500 hours. My CD-7 took that long as did the Ref-3. The PH-7 didn't take as long ... but still a good 300 hours to sound it's best.

For those who are finding the ARC gear to be bright, non-musical, tonaly bare or solid state like, I would humbly suggest that you check your power cords and room treatments. Magnan power cords and Shitaki Holograms (2 pair) have transformed my system ... and I thought it was really good before these improvments. Now its great.

I recently purchased an updated CD7, an upgrade from my beloved CD3MK II. The CD7 is in an entirely different class.

The sound is so big, detailed and lively. Instruments and voices are so real and vivid they sound like the band is in the room. I look forward to spending more time with this player. lucky for me this player is huge(5" deeper than cd2. 3etc. so it wont fit in many places.

It is truly a maginal musical instrument.

Good to see you like it weiserb. I knew you would. - Jim