Amp/Preamp Asylum

Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here.

Return to Amp/Preamp Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

audio research REF 210 monoblocks vs REF 150

180.191.79.155
Posted on June 23, 2017 at 04:33:26
mondial
Audiophile

Posts: 891
Location: S.E. ASIA
Joined: January 14, 2007



Hi fellow inmates ,

My sister whose based there in the USA is trying to decide if she's getting a REF 150 or at almost similar price the REF 210 monoblocks. Her current speakers are the Harbeth SHL 5 Super Plus . Her source will be the VPI Aries 3 w/ 3D tonearm w/ VAS Nova Phono Cart. Current Preamp is the vintage ARC SP11 Mk 1 , she already purchased the audio research BL1 ( converts single ended output signal to balance signal output ) . Her current amp is the ARC VS55 . In the future she plans to upgrade to a SP20 or if budget permits the REF5SE and REF Phono 2 SE .
Any fellow inmates who have compared / audition these amps please chime in . Here's a photo of her system.

Thanks in advance ,

Mondial

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
RE: audio research REF 210 monoblocks vs REF 150 , posted on June 23, 2017 at 04:42:29
morricab
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 9178
Location: switzerland
Joined: April 1, 2005
 I have not heard the Ref 150s but the Ref 210s are not so great, IMO. I did a demo with them in London with a pair of Wilson Benesch Arc monitors, Krell SACD standard cd player and ARC Ref 3 preamp. The sound really did not gel and when I complained about the quality (I was thinking about the speakers for a small office system) the dealer shocked me by saying that it was the Ref 210 monos that were to blame for the relatively poor sound. I couldn't believe this because they were easily the most expensive part of that system.

I later came back with my KR Audio VA350i amplifier and we hooked it up to the same Krell SACD standard player (so no ARC gear at all in the system) and the WB speakers and Violà, superb sound. It was so good in fact that a random guy who was in there shopping for some new Sonus Faber speakers perked up his ears and asked if he could come over and join me in the listening session! I said sure and then we also played some of his music. 30 minutes later I wrapped it up but that guy stayed glued there the whole time. In the end I didn't buy the speakers (I got Odeon Orfeo monitors instead...more lively sounding) but it left an impression on the shop as they asked me to leave the amp there with them for a while (I had a second one at home) in the shop so they could try it out.

By all accounts the new Ref150s are supposed to be good but my experience with the Ref 210s + Ref 3 was not so impressive.

 

RE: audio research REF 210 monoblocks vs REF 150 , posted on June 23, 2017 at 08:06:13
fin1bxn@msn.com
Audiophile

Posts: 2215
Location: new jersey
Joined: November 15, 2005
 I have a Vpi supper scoutmaster with 3D arm and the vac nova cart, along with a audio research sp20 and pass x250.5 amp driving Wilson watt 8's. I had a local fellow with a reference 110 which he brought over. It was good but not good enough to replace my pass amp. I am interested in trying the reference 75SE or 150SE as I hear they are something special. I'll post when I do.

 

RE: audio research REF 210 monoblocks vs REF 150 , posted on June 23, 2017 at 22:04:07
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Nice pic! mondial

 

RE: audio research REF 210 monoblocks vs REF 150 , posted on June 23, 2017 at 22:05:35
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 I have heard the Ref 150 and Ref 75 on many occasions- never a disappointment. I will report that ARC integrated amps did not sound good to my ears.

 

RE: audio research REF 210 monoblocks vs REF 150 , posted on June 24, 2017 at 11:53:00
KeithR
Audiophile

Posts: 299
Joined: February 22, 2001
 Brad, I have found the Ref75SE to sound fantastic, as does a SET fan/friend of mine. ARCs best amp since the 70s was his comment.

Fantastic grip of my Devores long throw woofers with a very open, transparent midrange with excellent tone. No whitish, SS-sounding ARC sound anymore.

 

Yes, but, posted on June 24, 2017 at 17:08:13
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37609
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 does it look like to you that the right speaker is a couple of inches behind the left?

I get the fact that the fireplace controls the left placement. Why not align the right to match?

 

RE: audio research REF 210 monoblocks vs REF 150 , posted on June 24, 2017 at 21:04:13
mondial
Audiophile

Posts: 891
Location: S.E. ASIA
Joined: January 14, 2007
 Hi fellow inmates ,

Thanks for the comment and suggestion. Aside from Morricab , has anyone auditioned the REF 210 ?
Estat I will relay your observation to my sister. I've not had a chance audition her system since the upgrades that she did ( speakers , turntable , cartridge )

Mondial

 

I have and...., posted on June 25, 2017 at 13:34:26
kootenay
Audiophile

Posts: 8445
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Joined: October 16, 2007
 You can read my comment here.... https://www.audioasylum.com/forums/amp/messages/21/219702.html

I'll go back to my local dealer and compare the 210 against the 150 as he has both of them including the Ref 75 that I was able to compare earlier.

Hopefully, the weather in Manila is very cooperating now it's monsoon season again.

 

RE: I have and...., posted on June 25, 2017 at 20:38:15
mondial
Audiophile

Posts: 891
Location: S.E. ASIA
Joined: January 14, 2007
 No monsoon , Typhoons yet , just sporadic strong rains occasionally that results in flash floods occasionally in the low lying areas in Manila . I hope you'll be able to compare the REF 150 and REF 210 soon. Please let me know the result/ opinion regarding these 2 amps.

Thanks for the reply,

Mondial

 

I'll let you know my...., posted on June 25, 2017 at 22:01:12
kootenay
Audiophile

Posts: 8445
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Joined: October 16, 2007
 findings once I've compared them. But judging from what I heard of what the REF 210 can do, I'm not sure if the REF 150 can even compete, but you'll never know.

You're lucky that you don't live in the southern part especially around Visayas and northern tip of Mindanao Island where the typhoon belt is. They're probably experiencing much worst than what you have gone through in southern part of Luzon.

 

RE: audio research REF 210 monoblocks vs REF 150 , posted on June 26, 2017 at 16:57:09
mondial
Audiophile

Posts: 891
Location: S.E. ASIA
Joined: January 14, 2007
 Thanks for the help Kootenay. We did not have the typhoons and moonsoon rains yet but last summer ( April) we were hit by a strong earthquake twice , intensity 5.4 . It hit Batangas province , there were a lot of scary aftershocks no casualties but a lot of damage to property in some of the town / municipalities.
Let me know when your able to compare REF 210 & 150 .

Best regards ,

Mondial

 

Nice to know that..., posted on June 26, 2017 at 18:29:17
kootenay
Audiophile

Posts: 8445
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Joined: October 16, 2007

no one got hurt. However, the one that hit Surigao City on February 10, 2017 had a magnitude of 6.7 according to PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale and could have been potentially disastrous with heavy casualties if the City of Surigao had many highrises apartment building.

The epicenter of the earthquake was in the town of Basilisa in Dinagat Island. This island used to belong to the province of Surigao Del Norte, however, on October 24, 2012, the locals of the island had decided to create their own provincial govt. thus, the Province of Dinagat Island was born.

According to some who have been on the island, the island is surrounded by some of the most pristine coral reefs and waters in the region. Nonoc Island used to have a nickel mine back in the 70's which was own and operated by Marinduque Mines. The mine became the source of income for some of the locals who lived on the island. But I suspect fishing and copra was still the main industry. BTW, I've heard that, Siargao Island which is about 20 km west of the Dinagat Island is said to be the country's surfing capital.

I will visit my local dealer nexct week and I hope that the REF 150 hasn't been sold yet.

 

RE: Nice to know that..., posted on June 26, 2017 at 21:24:18
mondial
Audiophile

Posts: 891
Location: S.E. ASIA
Joined: January 14, 2007
 Nice picture Kootenay . I read in the local newspapers regarding that earthquake in Surigao City .
Will await your evaluation of the REF210 vs 150. Is it also possible if you ask your dealer how much they're asking for the REF 210 .

Thanks in advance ,

Mon dial

 

Sure no problem..., posted on June 26, 2017 at 22:50:12
kootenay
Audiophile

Posts: 8445
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Joined: October 16, 2007
 Also, I'll ask him if he will honor the Trade in-to-Trade up a program that Audio Research has offered to their U.S. customers.

I'm sure you're aware that the shipping cost of these monoblocks to your country will be exorbitant given their hefty weights.

BTW, the Ref 6 preamp and the Ref Phono 3 have arrived last week although I haven't auditioned it yet. I hope that they were able to install a new cartridge on the Oracle Delphi Mark VI 2nd Generation turntable now that would be nice so I can audition it as well.




 

RE: Sure no problem..., posted on June 27, 2017 at 00:15:44
mondial
Audiophile

Posts: 891
Location: S.E. ASIA
Joined: January 14, 2007
 Actually it's not for me it's for my sister whose based in Northern New Jersey . I've auditioned the REF 6 and REF Phono 3 they 're quite good . But I have not directly compared it to my current 5SE and Phono 2SE . By the way if ever my sister gets REF 210 from your country , when it enters the USA will she be slapped w/ custom duties / taxes even if the product is made in the USA ? Thanks in advance .

Mondial

 

According to the NAFTA..., posted on June 27, 2017 at 00:39:25
kootenay
Audiophile

Posts: 8445
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Joined: October 16, 2007
 Agreement U.S. made goods returning to the United States are usually eligible for duty-free treatment. The provision 9801.00.10 in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) allows U.S. made products to return to the U.S. without duty requirements. However, the provision stipulates the goods value could not have been advanced nor the condition improved while abroad. In other words, if an item was repaired or improved, duty could be owed on either the fair market value of the labor or the item as it has been changed.

She should not pay any duty as per stipulation above unless there is some other hidden cost that I'm not aware of.

 

RE: According to the NAFTA..., posted on June 27, 2017 at 04:22:45
mondial
Audiophile

Posts: 891
Location: S.E. ASIA
Joined: January 14, 2007
 Thanks Kootenay

Mondial

 

RE: audio research REF 210 monoblocks vs REF 150 , posted on June 27, 2017 at 08:38:12
The Lost Bears
Audiophile

Posts: 195
Joined: December 19, 2004
I would go with the Ref 150 unless you really need the extra power (and cost of replacing twice the tubes). I own a Ref 110 and the Ref 150 is quite a bit better especially with KT150 tubes installed.

The SP20 is basically an LS27 with a phono preamp. The Ref 5se is in another league, and when matched with a Ref Phono 2se it is just magical. I have both, my Ref 5se convinced me I also needed the Ref Phono 2se.

With Audio Research's trade up program there should be some nice used pieces for sale. At around half price used the Ref 5se is a real steal.


 

Sorry..., posted on June 27, 2017 at 11:50:41
kootenay
Audiophile

Posts: 8445
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Joined: October 16, 2007
 They don't have the REF 150, 210, and REF 250 monoblocks as it has been sold already. However, they do have the REF 75 and GS 150 in stock.

I would like to clear things up with you regarding my review comments on the REF 210 and REF 75 comparisons. At first, I thought I was auditioning the REF 210 when in fact it was the REF 250. Sorry for the confusion but despite that, my original comments remains the same that the much higher power monoblock of which in this case the REF 250 sounded better than the REF 75.

BTW, he's selling the REF 75 for CAD$ 8,000 and the GS 150 for CAD$22,000.

 

RE: Sorry..., posted on June 27, 2017 at 22:20:58
mondial
Audiophile

Posts: 891
Location: S.E. ASIA
Joined: January 14, 2007
 Hi ,

Thank you very much for the reply The Lost Bear, Kootenay . My sister is inclined to get the REF 150 because her speakers are efficient and space limitations. But there is a REF 210 available equipped w/ KT120's and has low usage hours . The REF 210's / 150 price difference is just $100 . The REF210 's location is just near her home ( 30 mins away maybe less) and she can pick up. The REF 150 is from out of state and is. a demo model .

Personally Im inclined to get the REF210. Ive not auditioned the 210 in my system, but if its sonically cut in the same cloth as my 610T then Im sure its good.

Mondial


 

RE: audio research REF 210 monoblocks vs REF 150 , posted on July 10, 2017 at 19:35:46
mondial
Audiophile

Posts: 891
Location: S.E. ASIA
Joined: January 14, 2007



My sister finally decided to get the REF 150 . We also got herself the audio research BL1 line driver so she can use her audio research SP 11 w/ the REF 150 w/c only has XLR/ Balance only inputs . I told her not to use those cheap XLR / RCA adopters because she wont be able to listen / hear the sonic superiority of her new amp.

 

RE: audio research REF 210 monoblocks vs REF 150 , posted on July 10, 2017 at 19:39:51
mondial
Audiophile

Posts: 891
Location: S.E. ASIA
Joined: January 14, 2007



Here is another picture w/ the BL 1

 

Page processed in 0.032 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]