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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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samzx12
883 posts
 
I have owned Levinson 27, 27.5 and 29 amps and 36 DAC.  All are great products and pride of ownership high.  Have never owned ARC until recently when I bought a Ref 110 amp. I have to say it is the best sounding amp I have ever owned but I like tubes.  Bryston never owned any.  The older Bryston amps were too harsh or detailed for my tastes but the newer ones much better I hear. 
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.
n80
1,227 posts
 
Replace tubes every year? The tubes in my LS-16 are original. Maybe they sound terrible? I don’t know.
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...
n80
1,227 posts
 
Would you replace them at their hour rating or when they failed? Some people change the oil and filter in their car every 3500 miles even though it is almost never necessary or even beneficial. Not questioning your approach or math, just wondering. 
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