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ARC Ref mark2 vc Supratek Chardonnay

I'm looking to upgrade my ARC LS15 and the two pre's I have narrowed the field down to are the Ref mark2 and the Supratek.I know there are a lot of happy Supratek owners on this site( I have posted in the asylum but get the feeling Supratek owners frequent here.) Have any of you directly compared these two pre's?I have talked to a couple of Supratek owners who are delighted. Would the chardonnay be a sideways step or a forwards one?I don't have a bias either way.I know thre is a ref3 on the way.
Accompanying gear- ARC CD3 ( balanced), Plinius SA100 ( soon to be Sa ref) and Shahinians.Music taste classical and jazz.
Thanks in advance,
Kevin
ella4ever
wc65mustang
524 posts
 
I think you're comparing apples to oranges here as the Chardonnay retails for around $2,000 and the Reference Mark 2 at $10,000. However, it wouldn't surprise me a bit if the Supratek outperformed the AR. The Ref Mk 2 is one of the most overhyped and overrated line stages on the market.
magnepanmike
57 posts
 
"overhyped and overrated line stages on the market."

WOW!
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
Wc65mustang: where did you get that info from ? are you an ex-Ref 2 mk 2 user ?

I'm just curious since i'm planning to get this pre.
ella4ever OP
20 posts
 
Wc65mustang,
Yes, you are right-I really meant the Cabernet.My question still remains. I have no agenda either way ; I clearly have no problem with ARC gear as can be seen from the rest of my system.I was hoping that someone with greater experience than me would be able to proffer some ideas on the sonic differences between the two. Looks are totally irrelevant as are marketing strategies of companies.I just want to become a bit more involved with music ; something the LS15 is just holding back.
Kevin
wc65mustang
524 posts
 
>> Magnepanmike
"overhyped and overrated line stages on the market."
WOW!<<

You shouldn't be surprised unless you're unaware of Supratek, Joule, BAT, VAC, and Aesthetix. ARC made its best gear in the mid 70s-early 80s and should have died with disco. Have you seen the hundred or so units for sale on Audiogon? Word is getting around I guess.
The Supratek Cabernet at $5K destroys the Ref 2 Mk2 at half the price. All of the manufacturers listed above have products priced below the Ref 2 Mk2 that are better from design, build quality and sonic standpoints.
In your own words "Wow"
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