ARC Ref 75 vs. Ref 75 SE

07-26-15: Bifwynne
Knghifi ... not really. The last couple of re-tubes came from ARC because the bias spread on power tubes sourced from a reputable tube vendor drifted too much. Btw, I may have overstated the times tube arcing has taken out bias resisters. I was being conservative and may have overstated the issue.

I have 850 hours on orig KT120s in my REF250 so trying to decide where to buy the KT150s. $1600 from Upscale or $3200 from ARC. Hmm!

I already have NOS TS 6550s, Winged C and 6H30-DR so only need KT150s.

The main point is that power tubes may arc on occasion. The result cold be a blown bias resister. Also, at least with ARC amps, bias needs to be manually checked and adjusted on a periodic basis. This type of care and feeding may make ARC tube amps a non-starter for some. And that is a rational reason to consider another tube amp brand or a solid state amp.

In my case, it's not a big deal. I like the other pluses that ARC brings to the table.

Just saying.

Well, some people appreciate the precision of Ferraris, Porsches ... that requires additional maintenance and some only concern is getting from point A to B. :-)

I've had many different tube amps and they're all PITA compare to SS.

Knghifi ... that's a lot of scratch for tubes ... be it Upscale or ARC. Ironically, Upscale charges about $50+ for a KT-120.

If I have a "next time," I might check out a Pass or Ayre solid state rig. Both have earned high grades. In the meantime, I'm all ARC.

07-27-15: Bifwynne
Knghifi ... that's a lot of scratch for tubes ... be it Upscale or ARC. Ironically, Upscale charges about $50+ for a KT-120.

When time to retube, was planning SE upgrade but my mono already got some SE parts so will just buy the tubes. I'm leaning buying from ARC.

If I have a "next time," I might check out a Pass or Ayre solid state rig. Both have earned high grades. In the meantime, I'm all ARC.

Not sure how you listen but I've always had both. I usually leave my system on and when a great tune catches my attention, I'll go listen.

You should buy a SS amp. I like my Hegel H30. Checkout Luxman M-900U, Constellation ... The new PS Audio BHK is interesting. It's designed by Bascom King who also designed the Constellation Hercules. If SQ anything close to Constellation, it's a steal for the price.

Thanks Knghifi ... but my wallet is closed for now. I don't have the time, patience or interest to do an audio re-do. What I AM thinking about is signing up for Tidal and stream hi-quality digital in my DEQX PreMATE. Getting too lazy for the CDP and TT. Just want to relax in my cave and listen to my favorite tunes from the past. I like rock and roll music from the 50s, 60s and 70s that comes with harmony, a snappy beat and yes ... words.

I generally don't add thing here, but I wanted to say that I just traded in my REF 110 for a REF 75SE.   All I can say is that it more than exceeded my expectations.  Truth is that I got it because I got a slamming good deal and I liked the fact that I can adjust the bias without going into  the internals (I got zapped once when adjusting the REF 110 and it was not fun).   But I figured that I was trading down in power so, other than the convenience of the REF 75SE, I wasn't expecting a noticeable change in the sound.  And I do believe that in this hobby(?), addiction(?), compulsion(?) we have a tendency to rave when we cave into our incessant need to spend more money and buy new gear.    But the 75SE really was a game changer.  Like most, I have a series of "test albums."  When I put on Jennifer Warnes Famous Blue Raincoat (running a Air Tight PC-1 Supreme through an ARC REF 2 phono, a ARC REF5 pre, and now the REF 75SE, into Sonus Faber Cremona M's), I heard things I never heard before.  I'm not saying that I was hearing things better than I had heard them before, I'm saying I heard things I never heard before.   A very low baritone voice in some harmonies...a soft triangle...all suddenly appeared in an album I've listen to scores of times.  Definition I had never heard before.   And then there was the bass.   Drums snapped.  BAM. Sharp.  It was amazing.   

With the meters, I also realized that in my admittedly small listening room (a dedicated room in which only vinyl is played), I realized that at my normal listening level and my fairly efficient speakers, I was never actually using the extra power my REF 110 ever kicked out.   

So, yes, the ARC REF 75SE is expensive.  And yes, Audio Research has its distractors, but I am quite happy with my upgrade.

Also, for all of you out there, all I can wish for you is that you too find someone in your life like Alison (my partner in all).   A partner who insists on having Sonus Faber Liutos as the bed room speakers and YG Acoustic Carmels in the family room, and who actually can tell and appreciate the difference in speaker cables.   I am a lucky person.  And for the record, my gear might be for sale, but she isn't :)