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ARC Ref mark2 vc Supratek Chardonnay

I'm looking to upgrade my ARC LS15 and the two pre's I have narrowed the field down to are the Ref mark2 and the Supratek.I know there are a lot of happy Supratek owners on this site( I have posted in the asylum but get the feeling Supratek owners frequent here.) Have any of you directly compared these two pre's?I have talked to a couple of Supratek owners who are delighted. Would the chardonnay be a sideways step or a forwards one?I don't have a bias either way.I know thre is a ref3 on the way.
Accompanying gear- ARC CD3 ( balanced), Plinius SA100 ( soon to be Sa ref) and Shahinians.Music taste classical and jazz.
Thanks in advance,
Kevin
ella4ever
wc65mustang
524 posts
 
>> Magnepanmike
"overhyped and overrated line stages on the market."
WOW!<<

You shouldn't be surprised unless you're unaware of Supratek, Joule, BAT, VAC, and Aesthetix. ARC made its best gear in the mid 70s-early 80s and should have died with disco. Have you seen the hundred or so units for sale on Audiogon? Word is getting around I guess.
The Supratek Cabernet at $5K destroys the Ref 2 Mk2 at half the price. All of the manufacturers listed above have products priced below the Ref 2 Mk2 that are better from design, build quality and sonic standpoints.
In your own words "Wow"
Ag insider logo xs@2x
magnepanmike
57 posts
 
Yep "word must be getting out........." PLEASE...... There are so many Ref 2's out there now because ARC is just releasing the REF 3. Here's the link: http://www.arcdb.ws/REF3/REF3.html Obviously you don't like ARC and you are entitled to your opinion...... Unfortunately, everyone can see through your mindless claims.
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,219 posts
 
Wc65mustang: I have heard BAT 51SE vs Ref 2 mk 2 and IMO the ARC blow the BAT away. I found the BAT to sound flat and uninvolwing.
wc65mustang
524 posts
 
>> Unfortunately, everyone can see through your mindless claims.<<
Hey I didn't insult you did I? But now I will. They are not mindless claims but you would hear the difference if you dumped those goofy 1.6 'pans. Mindless speakers indeed.

>> I have heard BAT 51SE vs Ref 2 mk 2 and IMO the ARC blow the BAT away<<
Perhaps with certain other components this could be but the Joule, Supratek, and even the Atma-Sphere MP-1 will smoke the ARC.
ackman00
67 posts
 
Before changing pre-amps, have you changed the tubes in your LS15. I have an LS15 and was amazed at how much better it sounded once I put in some NOS Amperex tubes from the early 60s. They aren't cheap, but cost far less than a new pre-amp. Just my 2 cents.
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