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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
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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