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ARC: "Romantic Colorations in the mids" ?

76.25.70.1

In Reply to: RE: REVIEW: Audio Research, Inc. Reference 3 Preamplifier (Tube) posted by rhyno on July 15, 2012 at 07:47:47

"Romantic Colorations in the mids" "

Is this a real ARC or a counterfeit from another planet? I've owned a few ARC preamps and none were romantic with colorations in the mids. They were pretty neutral to my ears, as tube preamps go.

"While I sometimes like to listen to dance music with its fat bass, I don't want the preamp to fatten it up further, which the ARC does"

Are you SURE you are reviewing an ARC preamp? I deliberately chose an ARC preamp to mate with my Manley tube amps because the Manley's are inherently a little 'fat' in the bass while the ARC is neutral to lean in this respect.

"Bass depth is considerable, while being overly generous and round."

Whoa! Maybe yours is a defective ARC preamp.

"the Ref 3 has a bit more presence and warmth than reality"

Holy smokes. Are you on crack or just dreaming? The one thing ARC preamps are not, is warm.

"But, much like a SET amp, it's a bit more warmth and glow than reality,"

I'm convinced that you have your review confused for another preamp, or your ARC came from another planet!

Follow Ups:

RE: ARC: "Romantic Colorations in the mids" ? - morricab 00:19:02 07/18/12 (0)
Apparently the first ARC reference preamp was described as exactly that...romantic...they said the 2nd one was too to some extent. I have heard the Ref 3 and I have to say that romantic it is not but it is also nowhere nearly as lean sounding as the LS26, for example.
RE: ARC: "Romantic Colorations in the mids" ? - kentaja 12:02:17 07/17/12 (1)
I think your observations are spot on. He either got his review confused with another preamp, has a defective unit or one with worn out tubes, or ..........

Warm or fat or romantic sounding does not describe the Reference 3. The critics of the ARC house sound would call it lean, thin and anemic. Solid state sound with tubes inside for visual effect.

Who knows, but the review does nothing to describe the sound of the Reference 3.
- RE: ARC: Maybe it's the Romeo And Juliet Signature Model? * - amioutaline? 18:11:04 07/17/12 (0)
  LIBERTY ONCE LOST,
  IS LOST FOREVER
  -JOHN ADAMS

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