ARC REF1 VS REF 2 MKII

Has anyone done a direct comparison of a these two units.
Has the bloated bass been tamed? What are your thoughts.
Thanks

hifigy04-14-2001 8:37pm

jtinn Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,123 posts 04-14-2001 at 10:58pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete There is a big improvement, especially in the area of the mid bass bloat. It is also a bit quieter, but still is a bit noisier than the BAT VK-50SE. Same huge soundstage with tonal improvements. The 6h30 tube is a real nice improvement. If you have to stay with ARC, I would highly recommend the Ref 2 MK II. Other fine preamps to consider are the Aesthetix Callisto, BAT VK-50SE and if you want solid state, I have a friend singing the praises of the CTC Blowtorch. Good luck.
gladstone Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 296 posts 11-26-2001 at 07:15pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Has anyone recently compared the two ARC preamps?
bigkidz Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,784 posts 11-23-2002 at 02:05pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I compared the two ARC preamps 11-20-02 and the ref pre bettered the LS-25 MKII in sound stage and dynamics slightly, but the over all presentation was smoother and a little more tube like where the 25 is very natural but non forgiving. I preferred the ref pre but the diffence in cost is what you have to consider, out of my range.