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I listened to a pair of Audio Research Reference 330Ms

I finally got a chance to listen to these amps.  I've waited 3 years to hear these things.  Here are my thoughts.

First of all the fit, finish, form and fancy of these amps is really impressive. It's an elegant design. They feel massive and substantial. They feel luxurious. 

The first thing I noticed is that they threw off very little heat. I assumed that KT 170 tubes would blaze with heat- like the 6550s in my ARC amp at home do. Wrong. These tubes are not wound up tight. They feel more like they are idling. 

As for the sound- mids, highs, details, depth, breadth are what you'd expect from a $90,000 set of amps. Exceptional and satisfying. But not much better than the Burmester 909 Mk 5. Maybe just as good. Not worse though. 

IMO ALL ARC tube gear has the same "voice". Warmly analytical but not a warm bubble bath (with somewhat grey water) like, say  the McIntosh MC 9011.

Where the amps made me smile was the slam bass. No flab, no mud, no exhausted bass extension. Not tube-y.  They are LOUD. Surprisingly so. Loud like a 1000 watt Bryston SS Monoblock is loud.  Surprisingly driving the Magico M7s at background music level there were layers of detail and wonderful bass.

Are they worth the ask? I have a pair on order. Definitely outside my budget but I suspect that long after the price is forgotten the quality and  sonic purity will continue to reward me. 

Bravo! ARC! You have outdone yourselves with this one. 

 

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wolf_garcia
6,695 posts
 

My assumption about Had amps is that he doesn't make enough of 'em to make a dent in the gear consumer world. Also, you need efficient speakers to get the most out of these amps (I've owned 2...a Firebottle HO SEP and a newer Firebottle Hotrod...My original HO sounded a little better than the Hotrod so I kept it). Simply a hand wired masterpiece that costs somewhat less than 90 grand. I would not trade it for any other amp, although I do sometimes swap in a Pass XA-25 to let the HO rest (that sounded sketchy), and the two amps sound amazingly similar for my tastes although the differences are fun to experience.

dhite71
318 posts
 

I am a middle-class audiophile and new ARC prices 5 years ago seemed like crazy expensive gear.  My system is the only thing I really splurge on so buying used one generation back ARC gear is where I landed so spending about $15k on the gen 1 of the 160M amps that were $30k retail is the top of the mountain for me.  That is still insane territory for many.  While $90k for ARC amps is a pretty significant leap, it seems they took a significant leap in technology and power as well.  When you start visiting the top dealers and see who ARC is competing with, that $90k for a pair of amps is around the median and that is their top model.  Look at Burmester, Gryphon and D'Agostino...you can quickly get to multiples of that...and do they sound better??  I love ARC products and the people of ARC that make ARC who and what they are.  I'm really hoping their business management makes wise decisions and they are able to continue to rebuild the trust from their clients and grow their business to offer both the 'modest' top gear along with some of the next-level components as well.  I stocked up a couple years ago with enough KT 150s to run my 160Ms for about 10 years...by then maybe I can get a pair of 330Ms for...oh..maybe $28k?  ; )

ghdprentice
6,965 posts
 

ARC was purchased by an individual who was overextended financially in doing so. The interest rates rose as well as tube cost and sent him into receivership for a small loan he couldn’t make the payment. A dedicated audio company came in immediately and paid the loan and took over the company. It has always a been viable business, remaining so during the short stint in receivership. The new owners are a profitable high end audio company with deep pockets.

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