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In Reply to: RE: EAR vs Audio Note preamp posted by Plinius_Fan on November 10, 2016 at 06:11:22
My target preamp has changed a bit. I am still considering Audio Note M5 strongly but after a recent audition of some Audio Research gears I am also considering the ARC Ref 5 SE preamp. Audio Note vs Audio Research, M5 vs Ref 5 SE !!The amp that will be driven will most probably be a First Watt F6 so it is not a deciding factor as I see it. Anyone here with experience with both Audio Note and Audio Research preamp, please chime in.
P.S: I listened to the 912 but did not quite like it because it sounded somewhat dry for my taste.
Follow Ups:
With your original quest I might not have chimed in, but with AR thrown in, I would venture a David Berning pre. I personally use the current Zotl Pre one, but even the venerable model 12 will give most AR gear a run.
AN gear on the other hand can be great, although it tends to be really expensive, having only the heard the Zero and ... the M7.
Both great in their ways and would allow you to get out of the chase.
Just like the Berning did for me (with phono!)
The Audio Research Sp-20 is the current iteration of the right ARC with phono to buy.
The SP-20 is $9K new.
I saw one last month on Audiogon for under $5k.
I paid $1,500 for my Sp-15. But they have always been rare, used.
If you want phono built in, I do not understand the ARC Reference.. They do not have built in phono
Anyway, I would throw in the ARC SP-20 as the one to hear.
My friend has ARC PH7 and except for a little better control in the bass and adjustability /convenience, pretty display etc Audio Note Kit's M3 is an easily better phono stage . This, with inferior M2 power supply,inferior hook up wire (audio note silver litz is pretty special ) and no black gates in Psu ,hammond choke and other non audio note bits.
The only cart we prefer Audio Research unit with is Koetsu Onyx which is a "weird" sounding cartridge on its own. Don't get me wrong , PH7 is a VERY nice phono stage, as it should for the price and in some systems may be preferable.
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