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Anyone using Luxman m900u with Audio Research Ref6

Hi,
     Is anyone using Luxman m900u with Audio Research Ref6? I have it in my system and I feel something is a little off and I'm not sure what it is. My current set up is,

Vimberg Tonda Speakers
Luxman m900u - Amp
Audio Research Ref 6 - Pre Amp
MSB Discrete - DAC
Lumin U1
VPI Prime Signature
Oppo 205

It sounds good really well most of the time and sometimes I feel the synergy is a little off. I'm not sure whether it is my high sensitive speakers or the DAC or the Audio Research. It drives me crazy sometimes. Considering Luxman cl-1000 now. I'm not even sure whether it is Audio Research Ref6. Most of my gears are new though. Just wondering what could cause this. Any suggestion is appreciated.
Ag insider logo xs@2xkarurravi
7 responses Add your response
docknow
312 posts
 
"It sounds good really well most of the time and sometimes I feel the synergy is a little off" ....

Fluctuating sound quality could have many potential sources, but variability in the electrical grid supplying the power would be a leading candidate.  Are you using any power conditioning?
ghdprentice
7,038 posts
 
Since you have a ARC preamp and are talking about that kind o money definitely look at the ARC REF 160s. It is magic and the synergy with the other ARC equipment is incredible. I have Sonus Faber Amati Traditional speakers which have the same impedance as yours. As I flipped each piece of equipment to ARC Ref... the synergy just took my system to new levels. I am constantly glued to my system now, it has a sense of rhythm and pace I have only heard with gutless systems before yet with an amazing soundstage, detail and power.

If you are having doubts, read some reviews. There is a reason the REF160 is wining awards everywhere.
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karurravi OP
36 posts
 
I'm using PS Audio P10 Power conditioning. Thanks for the response. 
erik_squires
16,121 posts
 
How much warm up time to do you give your gear? 

PS - Given a choice I'd go all Luxman. :)
ghdprentice
7,038 posts
 
Ten minutes warm up time. Although I have some routines like getting up going downstairs, turning on my equipment, brushing teeth, get coffee, sit down and listen, so warm up time happens without a hassle... but the gear sounds great immediately, but does improve over ten or fifteen minutes.

I would say if given the choice of either Luxman or ARC, which ever you choose, it would be highly advantageous to go all that brand. I am and have been completely in synch with where Audio Research is going over the last 40 years, it has just taken me a long time to realize it, afford it, and for them to introduce a really reliable, auto biassing tube amp. I don’t want to fiddle.
bvdiman
491 posts
 
“Sometimes synergy a little off”—as in shouty and confused imaging at times/when pushed?

If so, and if you currently have everything plugged into P10 (including amp), you might want to try separating amp elsewhere first. Ime, P10 is insufficient to anchor fully a system like yours. Try P20 or something like Torus AVR16.
gerryah930's avatar
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gerryah930
144 posts
 
I had a system with an ARC Ref6SE preamplifier and a Luxman M900u amplifier, and now I have a Luxman CL1000 preamplifier and ARC 250SE monoblocks and it sounds much better. Driven by an Esoteric 01-XD SACD player, streamer (and a clock). Wilson Sasha 2 speakers.
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