Amp for Revel Ultima Studio 2s

interesting insignt! Thanks!

how did the ARC Ref. 3 compare to the Levinson Pre amp?

What Mac gear did you try and what didn't you like about it? Was it in the same room/system as the Levinson/Usher gear your heard?

Never got to hear the ARC Ref. 3 pre-amp, unfortunately. It was for sale used on consignment...I would be interested to hear it some day though. There seems to be a solid chunk of audiphiles who believe strongly in pairing tube pre-amps with solid state amps!

I listened to the Mac C50 pre-amp and the MC452 amp (all solid state Mac gear). I did hear the Levinson/Usher gear in the same room and on the same speakers (Revel Ultima Studio 2s) as the Mac gear (same CD player - a Levinson - and cables too). I found that the Mac gear had a different sound that I'm used to from my current Simaudio gear. The Levinson/Usher combo was closer to the Simaudio sound.

I perceived greater "soundstage depth" and "space" with the Simaudio, and particularly the Levinson (the pre-amp threw a huge, deep soundstage wheras Simaudio is a tad more forward) gear whereas the Mac gear sounded more "direct" with more "body" or "presence" to the music but less depth. Tough to describe in words but you'll hear a significant difference if you do the comparison.

Funny, my Simaudio dealer sells both Mac and Simaudio and he said "If you like Simaudio, chances are you won't like Mac." - it comes down to what you prefer but the two brands are quite different in how they present the music.

Best with Mark levinson

another vote for Levinson. just tried my 432 with the salon 2's and it sounded wonderful. would have to guess the studio 2's would sound great to. see my previous post on this topic at
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1309277569&openmine&zzLevy03&4&5#Levy03