@ghdprentice No, it’s shipping today so I should have it by mid-next week.
McIntosh MC312 vs. ARC Reference 150
Greetings!
I am very happy with my Mac MC312 power amp but the other day, on a whim (this darn hobby does that to you sometimes…) I purchased a used ARC Reference 150 (non-SE) tube amp. (The amp had the KT120 tubes replaced just 150 hrs ago.)
I am not planning to replace the Mac, but perhaps switch them in and out. (On a whim means I don’t really have a plan…)
Either way I am exited to receive it and though I’d ask this knowledgeable forum what I can expect in sound “signature” (for a lack of a better all-encompassing term) between the MC312 and the R150?
The rest of my system is a Rega P10 tt with Apheta 3 cart, a Simaudio MOON 310LP/320S phono stage/linear power supply, a PrimaLuna EVO 400 tube preamp, and GoldenEar Triton One.R speakers.
Would love to tap into any thoughts you all have about these two amps and the difference I can expect. Thanks!
Showing 4 responses by bimmerlover
@crustycoot First, if you have no desire to answer my question, why do you even bother posting. I am well aware that the Mac has autoformers and the GoldenEars have built in subs. After all, I own them. Second, why do you feel you have a right to criticize my desire to hear from other, many experienced audiophiles in this forum about their view on the difference between the two amps, while I await the arrival of the ARC amp? If I felt answers would give me preconceptions, or if I thought preconceptions would be a bad thing, it goes w/o saying that I wouldn’t have asked the question in the first place. Surely your life cannot be so empty that you have time to pass judgement on others, while adding nothing to the thread?
@audphile1 I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. 👍 |
@curiousjim thanks for your response. I don’t know any details yet about the tubes, such as if they were matched pairs, etc. except that they have been exchanged about 150 hours ago. When I asked I was told that the previous owner replaced them with KT120s, and not KT150s that some do. |
@curiousjim yes, I have a dedicated 20 Amp circuit for the amp. As for KT150s, it might be something for the future as I have not even received and plugged it in yet… :-) Four matched pairs of KT150s (I.e., 8 in all) from Upscale Audio would set me back about $1200-$1300, so I’ll cross that bridge later. |