ARC Ref phono 2 vs ASR Basis Excl 2010

It's pretty amazing you are willing to modify such a new machine. I have no desire to go that route. A reference product should be just that - the best possible right out of the box. That's especially true since the reference 2 phono is such a new model. But I do hope you enjoy it!

Anyway I went ahead and purchased the Basis Exclusive 2010 model. I'll wait for the Ortofon A90 to arrive first before installing it. We'll see how it works out.

I recently tried the Ref Phono 2 and I felt that it bettered my Hovland HP-100's internal phono in every way; I loved it! Big money however...

Stickman, agree not cheap, especially when I add shipping to & fro across the pond to GNS. But hey, to me performances sounded better than the Ypsilon VPS 100 Phono stage that I tried recently and cost less.

Interesting that you liked the AR Ref phono 2 better than the Ypsilon. I believe that Michael Fremer commented that he liked the Ypsilon much better than the AR that he heard at this year's CES; I guess everyone is different...

I liked the AR Ref Phono quite a bit; most powerful sound I have ever heard come out of my KHorns; powerful, with GRUNT, but with all the beauty, detail, transparency, and realism I am looking for...now, if I just had $12k....

Hi Stickman, what Mike Fremer said back in January on 'Gon was, "I have only heard the Ref 2 at CES this past week. I found the bottom end a bit fat and out of control, which is what I found on the PH7 too. I know because we brought the admittedly far more expensive Ypsilon VPS100 into the room (it was the Continuum room) to audition for the CEO of Atlantic Records and the difference was enormous--and the Ypsilon is also tubes. I liked much of what the ARC Ref 2 did, but if you have a full range system and a turntable that has deep, solid bass, i believe the Ref 2 will not provide you with all that your system and/or turntable can offer you. Just my opinion..."

I replied, "I agree with you on PH7 in a full range system Mike and sold mine for that reason, with not many hours. Just bought a Ref 2 and its away getting modified right now - will post how that turns out.
I heard what Ypsilon pre & power amps can do driving the big SoundLabs in Singapore with a Thales t/t set-up, made me think about my own system and how inadequate it sounded in some areas. Bit a out of my budget."

I can now say that IMO: the ARC Ref phono 2 modded by GNS does NOT sound a bit fat & out of control in my full range system, and has deep solid bass.