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ARC Ref phono stage.

I have always enjoyed the AR2 reference system phono stage at the dealer. It is always in the reference room, with Balanced ouputs into AR reference preamp. My electronics are single ended SS, Spectral Reference. Question for those out there is whether I would experience all of the sound of the phono stage?
tennisdoc40
tennisdoc40 OP
28 posts
 
The dealer doesn't let the reference products go out for demo. I've always enjoyed it there, and my TT, arm, and cartridge were purchased as a demo from the reference room, so my set up does do well with it. Anyway, market tanked last two days, so I'll have to wait
no_money
565 posts
 
At this price level it's ridiculous for the dealer not to allow an in home trial of at least a couple of days.
dctom
82 posts
 
I had the ARC ref 2 phono and was thinking of upgrading to the SE version. I was investigating trading up to the SE but decided to try out some alternatives first. I was using a BAT 52se.
I tried the Allinc H3000 but preferred the ARC, then tried a used Dartzeel 18NS pre which has built in phono. I sold the ARC and BAT to finance the Dart.
twb2
125 posts
 
I own the REF2SE because the dealer let me take it home. If yours doesn't do that, he's a fool. Find another dealer. Yes, you should be able to enjoy it's wonderful qualities even with a SE system, if as suggested, your system is good enough.
minorl
740 posts
 
No way am I making a purchase of this significance without taking the unit home and auditioning it in my system at home. Any dealer worth their salt will take your credit card information and let you take the demo unit home for at home listening. For that kind of money, if they won't, walk.

enjoy
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