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Audio Research State of the Art Audio Reproduction

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  #11  
Old 01-18-2014, 12:16 AM
TOGA TOGA is offline
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I suspect the old style screen is not available anymore or cost even more than new touch screen to make.
If they just make new touch screen to have deeper black and glossy. ok, I want it to have iPod style screen. And that will make it Look more like original classic green screen if programmed that way.

Toga
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  #12  
Old 01-18-2014, 12:22 AM
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The SP20 takes styling cues from ARC's first block buster preamp which put it on the hi-end audio map: the SP-3:



Of course the touch screen contradicts the old-school styling cues, so I agree the combo does not do it for me either aesthetically speaking.

When TAS did a survey of the most significant preamps (and amps) of all time, the SP-3 came in #1 position for preamps beating the Marantz Model 7 and Dynaco PAS-3 (starts on page 14 of the attached link). After that you will see what TAS writers voted as the most significant amps of all time.

TAS Survey: http://media.avguide.com/BG_Audio_Electronics_2012.pdf

Last edited by cmalak; 01-20-2014 at 08:13 PM.
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  #13  
Old 01-19-2014, 02:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2fastdriving View Post
I borrowed one for a week. Didn't like the front display and controls - it is extremely frustrating. When you turn the selector knob, you can feel detents behind it, but nothing happens until you go past like 10 clicks, and then the display is sluggish.

Great sound, poor user experience.
Did you compare its sound to your Ref5se?
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  #14  
Old 01-19-2014, 02:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harbapapa View Post
Did you compare its sound to your Ref5se?
Not directly. Demo'd them different weeks. I don't think it's on the same level, but it does cost less and include headphone an phono features. It's a good sounding unit, but anyone considering one should play with its interface first. I personally found it unacceptable.

Arc doesn't make anything that doesn't sound good, I have their cheapest product, the LP1, and it's a fine sounding phono pre.
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  #15  
Old 01-19-2014, 11:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdandy View Post
JBT.......Sorry, but I can't get past that homely face. No way would I place that in any of my racks. Audio Research makes some fabulous gear but this component is a complete turn off for me.


Ugh.
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  #16  
Old 01-19-2014, 11:50 AM
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Lazy dial and greasy fingerprints on my touchscreen at 9k, can't do it.
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  #17  
Old 01-20-2014, 01:38 PM
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I think it looks good, but I would take it as black (I think black is coming later). I kind of miss handles though.
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  #18  
Old 01-20-2014, 07:58 PM
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I wipe my Ipad down daily because of fingerprints. No way on a 9 thousand preamp!!
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  #19  
Old 01-20-2014, 08:01 PM
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It looks like a kit preamp to me.
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  #20  
Old 01-20-2014, 08:26 PM
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I think it would look better in all black or two tone scheme a la traditional ARC, with black surround on the squares surrounding the volume and control knobs and around the rectangle around the touch screen. I also don't like that they have gone fully touch screen. I liked the old school buttons for various controls. Rings more true to ARC's retro look and feel.

Having said that, all this is secondary to SQ. If the line stage matches at least an LS-27, and the phono equals the PH-8, plus you get a good sounding headphone amp for $9K, then you are getting a lot for your money (when you compare it to the stand-alone prices of the LS-27, the PH-8, and an extra decent headphone, call it $1K). All-in, the stand-alone prices of those three units would get you in the $15K range, so pretty good. Not to mention 2 less interconnects and 2 less components taking up limited space on a rack.
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