Powerful Tube Amp for SF Strads?

Thanks George! That is very, very helpful. You have given me much to consider. I have always like the CJ Act 2. I also liked the Arc Ref 3 (which is balanced).

As for cables, I have spoken to my dealer who sells both Dreams and PAD. He walked me through the cable options and their pros and cons. After much discussions, he recommended I listen first to PAD Anniversary Contego. I will report back when I have rec'd the cables and burned them in a bit. Thanks again!

Lloyd

Lloyd,

I have also used Arc Ref3 with Gryphon, the soundstage is huge and the match is very good indeed.
The only thing is that it is kinda different flavor from CJ....so test it.

If your dealer has both Stealth and PAD he should let you make A/B comparisons for 3-4 days at least and you'll find out.

Enjoy!

Thanks, George. That is really good to know. I have spent a lot of time with ARC...Ref 3, VT100, CD3, 5 and 7. I respect them all tremendously (except vt100 which I think is not up to the level of the other products ...nor is it expected to be) ..tremendous detail, a sound that is 'technically organic' if that makes any sense. Almost an oxymoron...but that is my impression. ARC comes at music from technical side (great technical accuracy/detail) and in most recent products made music extremely well. CJ comes at music from "sense/emotional" side and gets technicals mainly right but not always. Zanden is same and I love my Zanden DAC.

I generally prefer CJ sound but admit to finding (only) the latest ARC products extremely compelling competitors...with the balanced outputs of the Ref 3...that could be worth auditioning.

Lloyd

Kops,
Unfortunately I could not go to Munich this year, hopefully next year.
did you listen to M5? what is your opinion.

Emre

Emre,

The general opinion among many friends and dealers was that Magico in Munich was dissapointment; although it is curious no one mentioned it.

But Europeans audiophiles who've heard Magico M5 were dissapointed; I had friends ready to buy it but....on the other hand MBL for the first time (in Munich) played almost fantastic; given the room.