Audio Research DSI 450 vrs. HD 220 against all tu

Dodgealum...here are some show reports:

http://www.theaudiobeat.com/ces2010/ces2010_hp_arc_ds450.htm
http://www.theaudiobeat.com/ces2010/ces2010_splendor.htm
http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/lasvegas2010/index.php?option=com_igallery&view=gallery&id=7&Itemid=78
http://blog.stereophile.com/ces2010/audio_researchs_magnepan_amplifier/

Brian Damkroger of Stereophile got the model # wrong but he was at the setup with Maggies. The other setup as in the links above were with SF Elipsas. While I was not there, I heard both setups were phenomenal. I have the all tube Ref 110s but these are certainly on my list to audition and if they deliver anything close to the sound of the Ref 110 with the added power and dynamic headroom, these are a killer deal at $7,995 (well by audiophile standards a killer deal :-)).

Enjoy.

Jwm...which room did you hear the DS450s in: with the Maggies or the SF Elipsa speakers? Can you describe what you didn't like about them? I ask because everybody I talked to heard them first hand (especially with the SF Elipsas) said they were very nice sounding. Just curious. Thx

Jwm... can you describe "it was awful?" what parts of the sonic presentation did not meet your expectation?

Acrylic...my ARC dealer said the DSi 200 which is their 200wpc Class D SS integrated amp was one of the best amps that ARC has put out. It easily drove the rather difficult load presented by Rockport Altairs. This same dealer heard the DS 450 (with a Ref 5, CD 8, and Ref 2 phono) pared up with SF Elipsas at CES and he said it was amazing.

Acrylic....here is Marc Mickelson's (former editor of Soundstage.com and now founder/editor of The Audio Beat) response to a letter I sent him on the DS450: http://www.theaudiobeat.com/letters.htm

It sounds like he walked away with a favorable impression.