Holographic imaging

It's not a tube vs. SS thing. Put ARC and Rowland side by side and you may notice some very small imaging differences, but one won't be "holographic" and the other not.

Dave
Dcstep (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers)

My experience with VAC, Atma-Sphere and Lamm tube gear as compared to McCormack, Bryston, Belles, Pass Labs, Channel Islands, NuForce and Bel Canto solid state (or digital gear) leads me to believe otherwise.

I have to go with what I've heard.

Now, having just owned an ARC Reference 3 preamp, I agree it does not create a holographic image. Nothing as compared to the Atma-Sphere MP-1 or Lamm LL2 Deuxe preamps I owned.

Since editing of posts is not allowed in this thread, I want to make an addendum to my prior post.

It's my belief based on reviews, and on comments made by Vladimir Lamm and Ralph Karsten, that Lamm and Atma-Sphere strive for accuracy and neutrality. It's difficult to believe the holographic sound I heard when using their preamps was due to an intentionally designed trick to cause this effect.

I believe VAC has a similar goal, but I'm not certain.

Now, I have also owned a Belles preamp that created a very large image...high and wide. However, the image was not holographic. Rather, it was large but two dimensional, IMO.

Tvad said:
"Now, having just owned an ARC Reference 3 preamp, I agree it does not create a holographic image. Nothing as compared to the Atma-Sphere MP-1 or Lamm LL2 Deuxe preamps I owned."

So you're saying that you prefer the Atma-Sphere and Lamm to the ARC??

Dave

Duke, I agree with you and what seems strange to me is the value we (me too) place on "holographic" effects in our stereos when they don't seem to be part of the live experience to my ears. I suspect the reason is that in live music you can see the performers, you don't need auditory clues for localization, you simply see it - we may be trying to make up for that.

So you're saying that you prefer the Atma-Sphere and Lamm to the ARC?

Dave
Dcstep (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers)

Yes. I also preferred the Lamm L2 Reference to the ARC Reference 3 in my system.

In my system.

I cannot speak for what others might prefer.