Powerful Tube Amp for SF Strads?

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.

Interesting. Our local dealer here in Hamburg ordered a pair of M5. He said it is was best loudspeakers he had ever heard, by far. I mainly heard good things about their performance in Munich and I am looking forward the hearing them.

I am currently running a pair of cj prem8a's with the factory teflon caps etc upgrades.

very very nice and is controlling the Strads beautifully.

highly recommended - long live tubes :-)