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Audio Research CD6 vs CD9 original and SE versions

I recently had an ARC CD6 in for a demo.  The system is:

Intel NUC --> MSB Analog (USB) --> Krell FBI --> Thiel CS2.7

With the ARC installed it went straight to the Krell.

What I heard was a fabulous top to midbass.  Where it did not sound right was in the bass.  For lack of a better term the bass sound was "rounded".  I tried a few different cables with varying degrees of success however I could not live with the bass.

My question is does anyone have experience with side-by-side listening of the CD6 vs CD9 and or the SE versions?  If so what differences did you hear?  I listen to mostly classical on this system and having poor bass drum, tympani, and double bass performance won't cut it.
solobone22
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,427 posts
 
solobone22

I will keep you posted as I attempt to obtain a demo of the CD6/6SE or CD9 SE spinners. HiFi Buys Atlanta is the closest ARC dealer/retailer to me.

Happy Listening
solobone22 OP
82 posts
 
The sound of the individual instruments were fuller (some might call this warmer) however the bass was muddy.  I heard the instrumental presentation as closer to what I would hear in the concert hall with the exception of the double bass which was not clear at all.

This was the impression I got from the CD6 (review is of the REF9):

From this thread:

https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=34305

"The Ref 9 might not be the most detailed player in the World, especially at low frequencies where it is a little warm and wooly"
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,427 posts
 
solobone22

Thank You for the follow up. During my demo sessions, I did not find, the CD9 muddy in lower registers.

Happy Listening!
solobone22 OP
82 posts
 
@jafant what did you listen to during the demo sessions?  what were the other components?
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,427 posts
 
solobone22
I auditioned the CD9 with ARC gear. Ref5 SE pre-amp, Ref75 power amp.
For fun- Bryston 4B-ST power amp. Transparent OPUS cabling all around.Wilson Audio Sasha and Sophia loudspeakers. A large, rectangular room dimension, tuned by the late Dave Wilson.Audio Advice Raleigh, NC.

Musical selections:Jamie Cullum- Twentysomething (2004) VerveJourney - Greatest Hits (1988) ColumbiaDark Side of the Moon (DSOTM) 1990 EMISRV- Couldn't Stand The Weather (1986) Epic: all CDs are original pressings -not remasters starting after 1994.

then various tunes via a MacBook to demo the DAC section.
Happy Listening!



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