☆AUDIO AUTOPSY☆ AUDIO RESEARCH REF 750 SEL- FLAGSHIP AMP
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- #audiophile #hifi #audioresearch
Heres my opinion of another piece from the "Ultra High End" where I believe the Emperor has no clothes..
This is a segment of audio that in my personal opinion has a obvious lack of integrity in pricing structure. Its a way to sell for more than its worth by pricing it at 3 times its realistic cost, so it can be sold at discount all the time to prompt buyers to close a sale. The perceived discount takes away the sting of the burn. Then someone is left with retail cost bragging rights as the strong point of their story..
A complete CLOWN SHOW...IMHO
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$80,000 a pair? That's very reasonable.... But seriously, I love your audio autopsies! You should make it a regular feature your channel. I still always go back to your video about examining the internals of amplifiers, which has really taught me a lot.
Thanks !
The Manley gear is always great, so it's nice to hear you giving it a shoutout. And incidentally, their preamps are equally excellent.
For sure Bill...
Kick ass series. Keep'em coming!!
Thanks man !
Homage where it's due, total call out where it's due - - Great Stuff - - You may not be feeling well Mikey, but imho, this vid was really excellent and at least for me, VERY much appreciated.
Thanks Skip..
I appreciate you so much. I wish someone was doing this back in the mid 90s…early 90s when things really went South. Most manufacturers living off their names pumped up by the Mags…
Speaking of mags, they are only rags, compared to what they were some 35 years ago.
Marketing .. Marketing .. Marketing..
Maybe Audio Research requires more money because of their R & D. It's not just about the materials of the system.
LOL, certainly no R&D in this amp... You think its breaking through with any newly discovered technology they spearheaded ? Explain it however you want to, Im questioning the Value... I dont care about thier huge AD Budget , or if they have 60 employees or a factory the size of a Costco.. Lets look at the value of the end product with all things considered. Your position indicates they "NEED" to charge $85K... Because overhead is so high... I prefer companies with lower overhead and less "NEED" to sell for exorbitant price...
Hell yeah!!! You recommend my dream amps MANLEY Tube amps,greatings from Philippines!
Glad you like them!
The cost cutting started after Fine Sounds took over in the early 2010s. I have the Ref250 monoblocks and Ref5SE. My 250s are early models (circa 2012) with the thicker tan coloured PCBs and machined billet copper speaker 5 way binding posts. The VU/bias meters are made in the US. I had them upgraded to SE status. While they were away being upgraded, the dealer loaned me his late production 250SE, so I had time for a good look/comparison. The tan PCB boards were now substituted with thinner green coloured PCBs (very flimsy), the 5 way binding posts were now smaller and gold plated (glossy finish). The VU/Bias meters no longer stated they were made in the US. My Ref5SE (was one of the last made) was the of the same vintage as the dealer's Ref250SEs. Green PCBs, flimsier chassis than my 1990s LS-5 Mk 2. Thankfully the sound quality was not compromised because of this. I also had a chance for an extended loan for a Ref6 and I wish I had bought that instead as SQ is improved over the 5SE but I cannot stand the SP3 retro looks of the Ref6. I dislike the design language of the newer ARC gear, they have deviated from the laboratory look of the last 40 years. I agree with what another poster has said, they should offer a more reasonable line of product. By pricing their products too high, they do not have cash flow to develop the higher end models. Not many can afford them.
Yeah, the old stuff was great. Just like McIntosh, Focal, Sonus, Krell, etc.
That looks like a damn computer case with tubes sticking out the top!
For real...
Exactly what i was thinking and ive seen custom pc case built better. AR should be embarrassed to have this represent them..
Thaks for the post. I also would like to see more content like this. It is too bad such a notable company is still stuck in the early 90's. Gods, what a pain these units would be to maintain. Especially since this has no auto-bias circuit. In the current line up I feel the 160 and 80 ref series are better products. You can remove the tube cages and have them be open air, and unlike the Manley they have a auto-bias circuit. So, they are less of a hassle to upkeep. However, there are amplifier at 1/3rd the price of the ARC products that have point to point wiring, tubes sockets mounted to the chassis and not the circuit board. Some with a way to let you know if you bad tube to boot. I hope they will take a hard look at how they do things in contrast to their so-called lesser competitors and start making good product at a fair price in the same vein as the new integrated. I admit that I do like the looks reference series amps. The reality is I do not need ghost meters, fancy metal work to cover the tubes. Just a well built and engineered product that is easy keep operational, with circuits to keep the bias optimal and protect the amp when a tube shorts. Bottom line: put the money where it counts. Skip the fancy cosmetics and focus on auto bias, bad tube indicators, and clever ways to put the amp into protection when things go south. Make ownership of the product cost effective and as hassle free as possible.
Manley
In the 80's heyday of HP at TAS, and Bob Harley at Stereophile, Harley hit on something that became a longterm reference.
It was the superb combo of Manley's VTL tubes driving Martin Logan CLS panels.
That simple combo was killer.
Big 225w tubes driving a curved dipole electrostat panel.
Immediacy, midband purity, cohesion top to bottom ... never experienced before.
Manley tube pieces, just outstanding lineage and designs.
EveAnna is a badass ... her dad David Manley was straight up madcap genius, lived every day like it was his last.
But today, EveAnna has gotta be one of the coolest people in audio.
Late 80's Manley's big tube amps were about $4k a pair. Martin Logan CLS were $2500.
$6.5k for reference quality rig, plus source.
Infinity IRS V was $42.5k a pair ... and these AR tube amps are $42.5k apiece?
𝙐𝙣𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡.
Always watch you, don't always agree with you, but this ^ ... this resonates.
Mikey, your Kung-fu is good.
"TUBES RULE"
Rock on Brother... You dont know it but we are Tribesmen.. Anyone that understands Eveanna, understands me as well... and Jeff Rowland, and Andreas Koch, Jim White, etc... We ARE the passionates... You clearly are too... Thanks for the feedback...
Nice Call Mike AR has been lower level build AT hi Coast purchase for ever I was buying AR in the 90s &. always sent upgrade s to the unit not one not two THREE upgrades on Preamps & lets not forget the PLASTIC remote controls but the audio mag s always bail them out with big time reviews
Mikey, you really nailed this one. Audio Research was founded in 1970 by William Zane Johnson, and made quality equipment until he sold the company
to a private equity firm in 2008. You knew right away that they were going to use cheaper parts in order to make a profit and rely on the Audio Research name. I am not surprised by your autopsy.
Mike, Autopsy is great please make more of these videos. Audio Research (AR) line stage is good, and I have a Ref6 and compared many line stage I owned in the past this one is outstanding. But the AR amplifiers another story. I do agree with you that manly is value for the money and well built product, I have auditioned Audio Research, Manly and Rouge Audio. Rouge Audio was even better for the money and their customer service was even better. So I purchased Rogue Audio M180 monoblock amplifiers which utilize KT120 Tubes which I prefer. Please note Rouge Amplifiers are another American company and the M180 was reviewed well by the Stereophile Magazine. Thanks for the video.
Yeah I know about Rogue... not built to the level of Manley or ARC. Decent stuff though..
This is what every review should include. Great job!
Thanks Jim...
People are so miss led. Thank you for guiding me through the madness.
You are so welcome.
I would imagine the tubes need to be tightly matched, meaning the cost for a set of tubes goes up due to tubes that are unusable.
If tubes have adjustable bias in the circuit whatsoever, matching is unimportant. So usually you'll want tubes matched for the input and driver from left to right but hardly ever output tubes...
@@OCDHIFiGuySo your saying those companies run individual biases for every tube, and when replacing them the manufacturer will tell you it doesn't matter?
@James Warren I can't speak for those companies, but YES. In the case of Manley anyways. Not sure if ARC is Auto bias. Prolly not with meters on front.
It was good to meet you at Axpona in the Bob Carver room. We ran into Mick from Magnepan and ran the LRS+ with the new Carver tube amp. It was great. Talk about a value! The Magnepan guys sent people to the Carver room all day to hear their speakers sounding so good. $999 for those speakers is incredible. Peoples jaws dropped open at the sound for the money. Jim. Director of Operations. Bob Carver Company.
Oh yes, I remember you... ;-) Cheers man !
The Carver Lightstar in 1996 was a great solid state amp
These autopsies are definitely my favorite videos you make. Nobody else does these. Companies should not get to hide their products under pretty lipstick like they have for years from the media giants. I think you are being too kind with your 50k value…looked more like 10-15k. Good work Mikey, love these vids!
Thanks Dave, Its good to know you guys appreciate it because the Good Ole boy network hates it when I do this..
@@OCDHIFiGuy I wonder why...
Invaluable insight. Thank you!
You bet Caleb, thanks for your support...
Great job Mikey especially giving the reasonable US alternative! Thanks for your help yesterday on considering the Playback, David✌️
Hey David, you bet man !!
Dereck Trucks is a big Manley fan. Davis Crosby was as well.
Your the man Mikey ! Wow, I’m way to poor . Wonderful stuff !
Love the autopsies. Very cool.
Thanks !
Good points Mike. The overpriced fluff in the business is not healthy for the industry, imho.. Magazines survive on advertising fluff as well. It gives the impression that audiophiles have more money than brains to real engineers. Not a good look from the outside looking in. The industry must deliver value to the customer. Building on fluff is not a solid foundation.
Thats my point exactly.... Glad you share my sentiment..
Since Audio Research just went into receivership what does that imply?
Great video Mikey! I enjoy your autopsy videos and look forward to seeing more of these in the future. I wasn't familiar with Manley amps and went to look a little deeper. It looks like they use tetrodes (KT90EH) that can also be run in triode mode? I believe you said Pentodes when you referred to them (11:05).
I also respect ARC and credit them for reviving tube technology here in America 'before it was cool', but I agree that much of their higher end stuff is "fluff". At least with the 160M and S you get a really cool looking ghost VU, so there's that! :) - I do hope they survive under new ownership. It's nice when stuff is built on home turf and you know it's someone's grandmother hand-soldering all their PCBs (as is evident by their factory tour video).
Pentode and Tetrode are 5 and 4 element tubes and are grouped together and interchangeable (in case of EL34) and form a group "other than Triode" .. I would never use them in Triode mode , its bullshit to me...
Yes, I totally wish them the best... I dont want them to fail.
The number of times he says “ok” is unbelievable
Good call on the Manley amp 👍🏼
Sorry, I dont realize it.... THX !
Guy was sick and still doing what's a great review. True soldier Mikey👊
Thanks Brother !
Great video, Mikey - if you're taking requests, I'd really like to see the Pass INT-250, as it seems very reasonably priced, and is on my wishlist. You've said it yourself once - Pass has some excellent amps, but which ones are they? I'm sure you can do a video (without insulting anyone), and reveal just a bit of the mystery. :) All the best from Denmark, Jesper
All I would do Jasper is go online.. you could do this as well.... I wont be buying or carrying Pass..
But how does it sound? And how does it work with your system? People will buy what works in their system period.
It sounds great and it will work perfect in your system and it's 10 times it's fair price... still interested ??
I think VTL is the brand to look for in this tier of high powered tube monoblocks...
I'm not a tube or vinyl guy, no questions
Power 20.7s w/Coda v3 800w@4ohms
EveAnna Manley is good stuff no doubt
I've owned big ARC monos and VAC. VAC makes the best cost-no-object amps, but run so hot. I own PrimLuna EVO400 monoblocks and it's better than the hundreds of thousands of dollars I've spent elsewhere. No I didn't get a discount but it's point to point swiss wiring, no PCBs in the signal path, and runs the plate voltage so cool I run them 10 hours a day and never retube them. I have a Manley Steelhead though! Rock on!
Yes, good value, my only complaint is made in China and given an Italian Name... Manley is the real deal..
@@OCDHIFiGuy Except the thing that makes it a tube amp. The tubes. Where are those made Mike?
I think Audio Research is in the tube business. $6,000 to change 21 tubes? Like Mickey I'm also a jackass.....Manley is a better value thanks to EveAnna and made in the Golden State of California. OCD Mickey is a super cool crazy HiFi guy, but does like the smaller I/50 AR Integrated Amp. Thanks for your comparison and opinion. You make us think about what is a better value for our hard earned precious cash.
And I get lambasted for it from the good ole boy network....
This is going to be devastating 🍿🍿
Maybe they will come back with higher integrity...
@@OCDHIFiGuy might depend who owns the brand. If it is not part of corporate there is a small chance. I do hope so, their gear sounded really good 30 years ago. Already to much money for me back then, some things don't change
I have the ARC lS15 tube pre amp that I bought back in 1995 I must say the pre amp had never had any issues whatsoever I know it's not their top of the line, but it sure makes my modest system sound pretty good
Hey Mikey Ha!!! $85K that's chump change 😅 Do an evaluation on this: 🤑🤑🤑🤑
VAC's Statement 452 iQ Musicbloc amplifier ($75,000 for a single amp; $150,000/pair
I wonder if they have the balls to show the inside..
Good question 🤔 I would think there would be pic's somewhere online
harry pearson loved the 500 driving the IRS
There it is ...
ARC also has a REF320M model that's a 320 watt monoblock that's closer in appearance and power to the Manley 500. Not sure about the price but my hunch is that it's probably double or triple the cost of the Manley.
It looks like Ref 750 needs redesign like all of the other models done under Trent. I'm guessing the Ref 320, which is a new design while Trent was the owner sounds better than Ref 750. I have a Ref 160S, and it transformed my system. The sound is more neutral sounding, less tube-like, except for the vocals, which are clearly tube vocals.
I got REF 160Ms for half MSRP. No regrets and not selling. There’s more to it than heavy iron.
There it is .... HALF MSRP.... thats what its worth and why you are pleased with your purchase... It was a good value at half price... My point exactly.... I never questioned their sound..
@@evanbonnell9611 I hope ARC is able to find a new owner. No one does pianos, and guitars like ARC.
It's Audio Research...they have been like that since the 70's.
Exactly... Except price..lol
Wow what a disappointment knowing they are over charging consumers and that they have not keep up with the progress of technology.
All those tubes for what? Sixteen valves for amplifier is jewelry. Mike, your Audio Autopsy is very revealing. Bring on the backlash! You could say an audio autopsy comes after death, and receivership is kind-of a death, kind-of. Geez, should we do something different?
Just shining the light in the dark corners...
Mikey at his best ranting and crying about companys. Prima luna, conrad Johnson, VAC, Manley, balanced Audio technology and Audio Research all sound good. Pick your poison 😂
Nice video Mikey! How about a NAT Audio autopsy? How do they compare to other brands?
A guy in our local audiophile group has one of the Audio Research integrated amps that you spoke about. I agree, they sound closer to solid state than tube amps. I auditioned AR head to head against Prima Luna and I preferred the sonics of the Prima Luna. However, that was before I met you. Once I consulted with you the Prima Luna was out the door! In fact that's what lead me to you, my rig still wasn't right with the Prima Luna and I knew it but didn't know where to go from there... Enter Mikey! Now my rig kicks ass! Thanks brutha!!!
You bet Vuch... Ill do a NAT preamp....
This is why your channel is so unique. 👍
Thanks TT
I think you hit the nail on the head.
Not trying to kick anyone. Just shining light in some of the dark corners....
Can you add an audio review to this and have the review complete! I know this is a big ask 😁
Answer is NO. Im not a reviewer....
You never once mentioned the sound. Audio Research is top notch .
Great, then buy it. My video assumed it was awesome sound.... still overpriced for that build IMHO..
@@OCDHIFiGuy I did
A few years ago, a friend and I compared an Acoustic Research preamplifier with a First Sound. No contest - the First Sound was far more musically and emotionally engaging. I'm surprised that more audiophiles aren't familiar with the brand.
Ive got a Paramount Mk 2 with dual mono power supplies... Yes, he makes crazy level linestages...
@@OCDHIFiGuy Nice, I have two friends who own the 3 chassis model upgraded to its limit. I think Emmanuel calls it the Paramount MKIII-SI Super Special Edition (S.S.E.). They both consider it to be the heart of their system.
Have you considered having Emmanuel upgrade yours? The improvements are truly significant!
All great points about where it falls short of being in the high class category of Hifi gear.
On the inside it looks like it was built with an erector set of standard metals, brackets, screws and nuts. Not exotic at all and I DON'T care for the idea of tube sockets soldered directly into PCBs no matter how thick the board. Obviously you also have heat transfer through the pins into the board. Tywraps are also an inferior way of looming wire compared to hand wrapped looms with the proper kind of string. Tywraps also dry out over time, get brittle, and then break off in time. The lower the quality of the tywrap, the sooner that happens. Not a long term solution at all IMO.
All valid points..
Extra points for TyRaps usage, ... the correct trade name.
All too often one encounters various terminology ... but it's TyRaps.
Bravo
I've been in the industry that uses them for more than 40 years. T&B were some of the first ones, they were made of nylon, they were expensive and outlasted the cheap plastic versions, and of course could take far more torque before snapping.
Both Terms have been used, Ty-Rap, and Tywraps, wrap meaning to wrap up and retain things. I accept and use both terms and see no reason to quibble about that.
Regarding the high quality T&B nylon "Cable ties" I still have some left over in my old stock and none of them are any good. I also use the official tools for tightening and cutting them.. They snap off with any pressure because even now the nylon is dead. Brittle. Even the best of the best won't last forever. Many Hi Fi collectors buy, collect equipment that's more than 50 years old. An amp built today using Cable ties, Tywraps, tyRaps will very likely have those pieces of plastic laying at the bottom inside when future generations collect them and take a peek inside.
That said, tying wire looms using string like the aircraft and military industries require and use will still be intact as those systems built during WW2 and earlier still are. In my opinion high end hifi equipment built with pride will have the wires loomed this way, not with cable ties regardless of what one chooses to call them. Yes, it takes more time and it takes far more skill than popping in TyRaps. But to me when paying for high end Hifi that's what they should be providing. Looking at the amp Mikey dissected show that not only did they use TyRaps, but the wire looms run around 'willy nilly' at different angles. A pro would have run the looms parallels to the framework, at right angles etc.
For equipment that goes for lower prices, no problem but for amps that go for 50k or more. No thanks.
@@fredflintstone8048
Agreed.
Many great points.
Re; mil-spec wire looms, etc.
I was fortunate enough to spend a year lashing parallel feeders w/Kevlar Aramid, building a big UPS for Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC).
It was an Air Force project.
Great work.
The attention to detail was appreciated, ... similar to the build quality topic we're discussing here.
Much appreciated.
@@fredflintstone8048
also, w/T&B Tyraps, once you go black ...
AR are known for their preamplifiers. Not their power amps.
CLEARLY
Dude, I love the way you cut through the BS! My attitude has always been the same as yours; I was "in the business" for almost 30 years, was a hobbyist for years before that & (now retired) after. Thanks for being real, man! There's way too few people that keep it 100%, 100% of the time. Thanks for all your work on this great channel!
Second hand between 16k and 24k euro. The lower end seems reasonable if you have a use for them
Exactly... Zero resale value.. Means overpriced retail..
Talk that shit Mikey. Let the ppl know what's really up.
It does not take a genius to realize what's up with some products.. Thanks for your support !
What has OCD HI-Fi Guy ever manufactured and marketed I wonder...
Stupid question... watch my videos old boy, I just did one showing at least 3 of my amp designs, 3 speaker designs, my award winning cable designs that don't use wire, I've got a US Patent for Audio Connector Design and I'm about ready to release 3 new designs of my own within 30 days. I also owned an amplifier manufacturer in California and built amps ground up. They had been in operation 30 years when I bought the company.... Any more questions ?
Hi, I'm just about to replace all 6 tubes on my Ref 3, so want to re-set the counter. I believe there's a button somewhere to do it, but I can't see it anywhere - anyone have any ideas please?
Call the company my man !! Sorry, I've got no idea..
GREAT VIDEO!!!
80K is a rep-off. I like the ones that you can buy for $15K- and they are out there.
With the I/50 you have no auto-bias. You have get inside to bias it and they recommend you take it to a technician to do it. Even cheap Chinese tube amps give you a way to bias it without opening up the Amp.
If you need a tech to set bias, then buy the cheap stuff... ARC is for a higher level user.
I suggest you do the same autopsy on Burmester 159 Mono Blocks Power Amplifiers that cost only $350,000 per pair. I rather buy a couple BMW M5s
Right ?? LOL, At least Burmester LOOKS the part..
You make some excellent points based on build quality and precieved value, which are important. But I wonder how these two amps compare sound wise? Would be interesting to know.
Manley probably sounds better is my guess.. Intentional integrity begets sonic integrity.
what about the LS28SE preamp for 14k AUSD would that be worth it?
Not sure..... maybe...
So damn pretty though
Hey, everyone loves their baby...
I'd like to commend you for this video. It took courage and provided great insight and benefit to those of us in the hobby. You even threw AR a bone. (By that time, it felt a little like, "Other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?" :) It is of continued great value that you provide recommendations of worthy products lines such as Jeff Rowland and Manley. But, even a 22K price tag may for us who have been around long enough. So, maybe a little more hand holding would be useful. Is it possible, for example, to do the same analysis with the amplifier you just added from Cadence Power? It's 35K, right? That's not a gotcha. Hardly. I don't think someone with your depth of knowledge and ability to communicate can be gotten. It's would just be real information that would be useful to those of us seeking value in these costly purchases - separating the wheat from the chaff. Keep up the good work! Be careful. If your balls get any bigger, it may require medical intervention.
Dancing on the grave. Their problem is too much high end stuff and not enough stuff reasonably priced to sustain their high end. Their bottom end amp is a cool piece and sounds good but it is still over $5K. Build stuff in the $2K to $5K range to build sustainable cash flow.
I sell power cords for $5K.... The premium gear is over $5K Shiit Audio is your GoTo, but buyers with means want higher level stuff.. I sell to higher level buyers, so this channel relates to that..
@@OCDHIFiGuy my only point is they should tap the lower market harder in order to provide cash flow so they can sustain the high end builds. I know folks want high end but in the ARC case they couldn't sustain. Like you pointed out their high end didn't exactly sling off vibes of getting a high end piece.
manley - made in chino not china-and a great phono stage.
LOL, right ...
great one
How Bout Coda?
Solid state..
Now we know why AR is having trouble.
Its a possibility.... All this hooplah made me dig in..
Mikey I was curious your view about the D.I.Y speakers like C.S.S Criton and G.S Research with Dannys designs ...are they as good as everyone say they are can they really compare to giants ?...thx Mike
They can be decent but absolutely can NOT compete with the giants.... Its what people without the means say to each other to make themselves feel better...
Man your gonna piss off some people on the forum. Way to go Mikey. And there prices are ridiculous your right.
Because I'm exposing the hypocrisy and showing how they overprice the product. The only people pissed off are the ones trying to hold up the curtain.
@@OCDHIFiGuy I agree. There not worth anywhere near these prices. And used values are way to high also.
Hello Mike from Meaford Ontario Canada, Mike I am fully restoring a pr of Quad 2s tube amps and matching 22 pre amp using all new Mundorf supreme capacitors sandblasted and powder coated with new banana terminals they are from 1958-64 and are estimated at 15 watts per ch ...I am using a pr of modified B&W V201s and a pr of custom B&W Zeppelin driver made speakers made to a Royd Audio technology standard ...my plan is to use my Naim Audio Nait 5i amplifier to run V201s and bi amp using tape out to Quad 22 pre amp to run B&W Zeppelin speakers ...I realize efficiency of B&W are low do you think maybe a high efficiency single pr of efficient speakers be better ..?...what speakers would you recommend Mike ?
Yes, High efficiency would absolutely be better... Look for Altec Lansing to be period correct..
What’s your take on Lamm?
Past tense.. left with Vladimir IMHO. They sound great but seem to be delicate in some ways.
@@OCDHIFiGuy thanks for the response! Curious if you recommend any 6c33c amps? Prices from LAMM are very high so I was curious about the value. Internals don’t necessarily seem worth it to my eyes either
What type of frame on that Manley? Nice video!
No frame needed... the chassis is thick enough steel.
Isn't AR in financial trouble ? They booted out their latest owner ? Crazy prices !
They may be history... we will know within 30 days.
@@OCDHIFiGuy Kinda sad.... Such an iconic American brand.
What does everyone think of the Boulder 3050?
Ive heard 50/50. Some Love it, and Ive had AGD beat it..
Mikey, you sound sick as a dog, dude! Consider skipping tonight’s live stream. I think ARC could bifurcate their line into legacy, value-oriented products offered at down-to-Earth pricing and their Ref series. I agree with you on their little integrated amp. Terrific product for the money.
Yes !
AR, in receivership? I’m no engineer, but those insides look sparse, flimsy. I haven’t heard though. Can’t fake the funk on that level. These guys know & if they don’t they’ll find out. Too many bosses, product suffers. Need to get back to basics, with solid engineering, build & sound.
By the way you can't change tubes in the ARC I/50 without a tech. Beginners should not buy one.
No way, really ??
What do you think about Audio Note UK?
I have never had it, I dont know...
What is your opinion of VAC also overpriced? VTL vs Manley same family would appreciate you take on VTL too; Balanced Audio Technology seems to give off good craftmanship; FWIW they sounded dark many years ago .
Have not looked at V.A.C yet...
VAC construction materials and design are far superior to Audio Research. I’ve owned both.
@@alskooper3319 Thank you. That is evident even with a cursory look. My question is regarding the price to offering ratio; of course value is relative. Some people have no problem paying 20k for a hand made 10 watt SET amp. I am trying to identify brands that offer a great deal for the dollar; of course the sound first and foremost. At the same time I am wary of single ownership brands. I could list, regrettably very many people who passed away and with that the brand died too; not intending to be or sound in any way funny; fact only. I am certain you could list at least 10 companies that are headed up by 1 person, beyond Kevin Hayes at VAC. Any ideas? All suggestions welcomed. Thanks
@@mahasidha9 I am perplexed by your aversion to single owner brands. True enough that many businesses fail after the central figure passes or gets kicked to the side. There are a litany of hi-end manufacturers that meet that criteria, part of an industry with overall small market share. As for the product itself, materials and design should be commiserate with the price. Folded metal cases and plastic knobs are not acceptable to me on expensive components. I am aware that cases etc may have no bearing to the actual performance, but if I’m spending $$$$ I expect a luxury look and feel.
I hear plenty of stories of manufacturers that are still in business who won’t service components they manufactured in past years or even maintain a supply of spare parts. I’d rather take my chances with a small company than a conglomerate on hi-end audio.
OCD Mikey , what do you think about the Western Electric 91E Tube Integrated Amplifier ?
Is that the current one ?
Definitely not that Western Electric sound. Case looks like it came straight from China. The amp actually looks like a Chinese amp in general. My opinion, not worth 15k.
@@davobmw $18 k with Nickel finish but W.E. do have a great heritage...
@@OCDHIFiGuy yes Mikey...Kevin from Upscale Audio has raved about it's sound..
Get well Mate! 🤘
Thanks ! Almost there..
I dont like a spider web of wire inside my gear. A lack of loose wires shows serious intent in the overall design in my opinion.
I have a confession to make.... I bought an amp from the other guy, only cause I didnt want to call you low balling. Sorry! I got an emerald physics 200.2se for 1200 bucks. Its a dual mono class D that weighs almost 40lbs. Built in the USA. It would be hard to find a better value.
Those Manley's are sick!
LOL, Wally Mart, the low price leader... My client base is different from his... Im glad youre happy !!
Unfortunately, the Emerald Physics is even a bigger rip. The non B&O amp boards are just Chinese amp boards. He ups the price 3x what they should cost and then cuts it in half for the blow out sale. I happen to like Emerald Physics too.
@@OCDHIFiGuy I know, but considering the choices around a 1000 im happy, for now. Sounds a lot better than the old Pioneer SX3700 and at least its not stamped tin.
@@davobmw Next to impossible to escape ALL the hifi bs at 1000 dollar price point. I didnt want to buy shiit which was the next best option I could find. It sounds a lot better than the old Pioneer SX3700.
@@freeradical6390 I will say I had some Schiit audio monos and they’re really great for the money. Even when used as a stereo amp they’re impressive for under 1k brand new. Schiit audio you have the designers from Sumo and Theta so they’re going to produce some great products. IMHO…the Aegir and the Vidar is on another level than any amp from Emerald. Of course that is if you like class D like the Emerald. All that matters is that you like it! I definitely agree, honestly, doesn’t take much for a newer production amp to sound better than a receiver from the 70s/80s.
Your saying the manley caps are bigger but the arc has more caps.
You get a Gold star for listening!! Yep. Its cheaper to use smaller imported caps and results are not as good as using fewer, larger capacity USA made capacitors.
@@OCDHIFiGuy Btw Mikey when you were talking to Jay about his msb dac... im not saying his msb cant be improved... but dont you think the bigger problem is the boulder pre and power amps? What if he had some warm musical tube gear there... like CJ or Jadis ?
@@OCDHIFiGuy lol! I want a gold star!!!
Looks like $500.
Would love to to tear down the new luxman z series
Send one !
The Manley is ridiculously ugly Mikey , lol
Regards
Whats ugly becomes beautiful once its heard with me.. Form comes far after function in other words... BUT there are people that buy for looks... LOL....
While not that inexpensive themselves, my BALANCE AUDIO TECHNOLOGY REX mono blocks probably sound better than those. They’re ridiculous.
Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one.
EXACTLY... thank you !!!
Legalised theft! 😮
In some eyes.
What is wrong with foreign parts?
Nothing, they cost less... That was my point...
Buy Mikey!!!
The only way to fly...
Good chinese amps are point to point solderd.
Too bad sales support the global enemy...
@@OCDHIFiGuy I thought us was the global bully and enemy.
@@supertor100 You're misinformed
What about bob carver?
Not my guy....
@@OCDHIFiGuy do I dare ask why? I had tye cherry 180. Great amps
Rather buy 3 better amps for less and multi amp low-mid-high! 30,000 US$?
I would too..
I will comment before watching the video. That thing looks freaking stupid.
Just looked at the chassis. WTF?
Crap PCB, rats nest wiring, 80k? WTF?
Stop coughing, you old bastard, lol.
Circle jerk for sure. Just don't look inside the box. WTF?
Looks like that Constellation POS wire job.
Emperor has no clothes; exactly; thank you for exposing them (pun intended). The Absolute Sound has been hyping their products since day one.
I like the entry level however...
😀🤜🤛
Rock on Paul !
WAIT UNTIL IT NEEDS SERVICE! YOU WILL NEED TO GIVE UP A KIDNEY!BUILD QUALITY IS TERRIBLE!😆
Yeah, ARC has had some issues repairing things. Manley is very reliable.