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Fo Audio Research Ref 10 owners, Best Amp?

What amp did you find worked best with this pre amp?

Did it depend on wattage? I am currently using 250 per channel.

Do I need more?

Or is it the synergy with a certain amp?

I know I am not getting all the potential of this pre. Something is holding it back.

And I know my system is capable of so much more. The problem is I had auditioned somebody's ref 10 and it sounded miraculous. The walls of my apartment disappeared and I wanted to listen to all of my many many cds again. It got difficult just leaving to do the things I needed to do. Ever feel that way with your system?

The kicker is I don't remember which amp I was using! I was trying out many amps and not keeping notes. It was a long time ago. Everything else is exactly the same-transprt, Dac, Speakers. 

If any of you are so inclined let me know what amp you found goes best with your ref 10 and let me know if you've found that nirvana I ever so briefly enjoyed.

Thank you for your time.

roxy1927
tony1954's avatar
tony1954
1,036 posts
 

I have no idea, but it might help if you provided a list of the amplifiers you tested.

 

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reynolds853
385 posts
 

I use the Ref 10 with the Ref 160 S amplifier and like the pairing a lot. However, I recently heard the Ref 10 with the new Ref 330 monoblocks and it was sublime.

roxy1927 OP
125 posts
 

250.8 has nice but not great depth and little width and sparkle.

I had the 350.8 which I liked a lot(maybe it was this one because of the extra wattage.) But it was a heavy beast to have in an apartment though now I wish I had figured out a way to keep it.

30.8

Hegel 300 and a couple of others I can’t recall.

The AGD Duets and Audion are getting great reviews and in terms of weight look ideal. But would they do justice to a Ref 10 due to their size?

 

 

aewarren
644 posts
 

You can mix and match other brands with ARC components, but for the best system synergy, it has been my experience to stay within the ARC product line. They really do play nicely with each other. Save time and headaches and just get the best ARC amp(s) your budget will allow and never look back.

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