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Arc Ref 75se vs D'Agostino Momentum Stereo

    I have the opportunity to upgrade (?) to a D'Agostino Momentum Stereo for a good price. I was previously using a bought new  Ref 75 se which blew 2 tubes at the 30 hour mark. Despite being biased every 2 weeks. However, not only did the tubes blow ( due to the deterioration of the of the cathode coating of 2 tubes, I was told ) and the biasing resistor, it took a big chunk of the gold trace on the pcb and shortened the transformers as well.  This caused quite a stir between me, my dealer and Arc which took several months to resolve as I'm not based in the US. In the meantime, I was using a loaner ref 110 to tide me over. To make a long story short, just as my replacement 75 se (new ) arrives, I get an offer from my friend on the Momentums.  I have been traumatized by this experience so I was thinking of staying away from Arc power amps ( I've read some posts on similar problems ) hence willing to the try the Momentums.
     I am basically a tube guy so an SS amp even though the Momentums are suppose to be warm they don't have that tube bloom which I can't seem to live without.  I've been doing an A/B the last few days between the Ref 110(I know is' not the same without the kt 150's and all ) and the Momentum cause in case I get the Momentum's I can sell the Ref 75 SE sealed in the box as in "new".  I can seem to decide as both have their strengths and weaknesses. The rest of my system consists of

Ref 6 pre
Von Shweikert Audio Vr 44 Aktivs
Estoteric K07 sacd/cd player
VPI Prime with ADS and Benz Micro LPS-MR
IC's are all MIT - oracle and shotguns
PC's are all Shunyata alpha series.
Speaker Cables MIT Matrix 28
Room size 35 sq.m.

    Points I am considering, synergy among the same manufacturer's, the Vr 44's  are active so I don't really need a lot of power just enough for the tweeter and midrange. But those Momentums look gorgeous and the deal is quite good. From my recent A/B tests, IMHO I noticed that the ARC does better with vinyl while the Momentums does better on Cd and streaming from my macbook to the esoteric. Help me decide, your inputs are welcome. This offer expires in a few days so I have to decide quick. Thanx.
 
attymbb
keithr
1,306 posts
 
So you received a *replacement* Ref 75SE and are going to sell it? Sounds like ARC went above and beyond normal expectations.

I have a Ref 75SE with no problems after several thousand hours. I would make sure the unit isn't enclosed in a rack or something which may cause overheating. My guess is you had a 1-off issue and you'll be fine.


gpgr4blu
1,094 posts
 
You cannot go wrong either way.  In my view, ARC is the tube gear  closest in sound to ss and Dag is the ss gear closest to the sound of tubes. I mean this in a good way for both. Want transparency and grip?-Dag. Want bloom, dimensionality and a midrange to die for?-ARC. But neither is in any way deficient in any of the key characteristics mentioned above. I did an in house comparison a few years ago between a Ref 150 and Dag Momentum stereo with my Ref 40 pre. I came away all ARC but could just as easily come away with the ARC/ DAG combo. It all had to do with the type of music I favor that was overall more reliant on the characteristics at which the ARC excelled. Good luck. 
attymbb OP
25 posts
 
Appreciate all the comments.

randy-11, 
           Truthfully, I wish I could keep both. But I can't afford to because of a few more minor upgrades I would still like to do. And the wife is watching me like a hawk.

keithr,
          Yes, Arc did replace the Ref 75se to a new unit but took a while and if I'm not mistaken it was at my dealer's cost and not ARc's. I had my original 75se for 2 mo. The time it took to replace 6 months. Hence, the hesitation with further ARC gear. 

gpgr4blu,

         I have reached the same conclusion as you have. It's like splitting hairs. As I mentioned to randy-11, I wish I could keep both.
      

zoera
5 posts
 
I'd do it. Momentum on the REF 6 will be glorious, and it'll be all the tube goodness you'll need.

Besides, you'll be all set in case you ever want to upgrade from those Vandersteens...

attymbb OP
25 posts
 
This is getting more interesting as my friend is willing to take on my ref 75se plus $$ of course. But he doesn't mind if I open it and do a real A/B between the ref 75se and the Dags Momentum instead of the Ref 110.

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