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Soliciting Member Perspectives: Levinson vs Bryston vs Audio Research

Wanting to start a discussion for which there are obviously ZERO absolute answers.  I want to hear various member perspectives on these three marquis brands of audio equipment: pro's vs con's, likes vs dislike & your emotional/visceral experiences.

Why?  #1, I think it would be fun & edifying.  #2, I am contemplating modifying the direction of my primary 2-channel system in my 'Man Cave' & your thoughts & opinions will be useful.

Please try to avoid pretentiousness, condescension & remember, these are your opinions & not necessarily facts.

Thanks in advance & I hope this proves to be as fun as I think it can be.
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Showing 2 responses by elizabeth

elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Tube life of ARC REF6:  
6550WE 2000 hours    
6H30 4000 hours   
I listen for about 10 hour a day, every day.. 
365 x 10 3650 in one year. 4000 in 13 months.  So in about seven months replacing the 6550WE .. 13 months, every 13 months...
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
The largest problem with current ARC preamps is tube life. I am retired, and listen over ten hours a day. that would mean yearly replacement of tubes in a REF 6 Let alone how fast tube amplifiers would need tubes replaced. I do own a very nice ARC SP-15 I keep around. Levinson is just not even a starter to me. old ones use Camac which is just a PITA. New is ?? Well not much press.Bryston? I like Bryston. Lots of folks bad mouth Bryston. Who cares. the latest stuff is very good. lasts forever.
If someone gave me a REF 6. and a dozen sets of spare tubes...Hey sure great.
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