It is NOT normal BUT…how do you know the buzz can be traced to the ref75se? Could be the pre, the power, the source, the turntable, the refigerator, the phono stage. Was the system fully balanced and wired with xlr cables? Were they using xlr to rca adapters at the ref75se? You dont have enough data yet.
Showing 6 responses by ghasley
@mike30 what I was getting at is that you dont have enough data. Ive owned this amp on multiple occasions, it shouldnt have noise. What power treatment were they using? Was the amp plugged into the wall? What about the circuit? What kind of power cable? Is it a dedicated or shared circuit? Shared power strip with switched mode devices?
you really should utilize the dealer channel. You think it will cost you more but it will save you money in the long run. |
I would bet money it isnt either loose screws or delam, I would bet its power related. Is it that system, that plug, that home, that transformer on the pole, that region of your town? Its worth having it checked out but the deal you describe in the other thread isnt so amazing that you should take a flyer on this amp. What preamp will you be utilizing if you buy the ref75se? |
@mike30 the LS27 is a fine preamp. The se versions are exceptional as well. The ref series, end game. If you have to make a financial compromise, buy the best preamp you can afford. It will make every amp better…but the inverse isnt always true. Hanging an amazing amp off of an average preamp doesnt necessarily yield the superior results…
good luck. The 75se can be end game, it is already a classic and it is a really nice amp across a broad spectrum of speakers. |
Cool. There was a time a couple of years ago when you could buy a ref75se and a ref5se for a combined price of between $10,000 and $11,000. That was a great value. Today that combo will set you back aproximately $13,000. If you are dead set on that direction, you might reach out to Paragon as they likely have some ref75se’s new in box for a little more than you are looking at preowned. It would have a warranty and it is an end game amp. I drove Wilson Sasha 2’s and Devore O96’s with mine and it was sublime. You will hear your Vandersteens at their very best. You will also have an amp that is far, far more capable than your speakers but thats ok. Buy the best preowned ARC preamp you can afford…a ref 5se, ref 6 or 6se…even a ref40 if you can swing it. You will have your amp/pre for the long haul. When you someday upgrade your speakers, the electronics will scale. You wont have a wonderful match but it will be very good. You wont have tremendous synergy or volume headroom but it will still be very, very good.
best wishes.
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