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Music reference/ audio research / vpi

Looking for suggestions. Have a Music reference rm-200, and an audio research LS 16. Also have a VPI classic 4/proteus transfiguration. Wondering how the RM – 200 would match up with an audio research ref 6, an audio research ref 3 phono, And maybe Ariel acoustic 7t, or Devore gibbon X? Looking for suggestions. Live in the sticks with very little opportunity to audition much of anything!  While I love my audio research, sometimes I wish there was just a bit more tubey richness.  The Gibbons are supposed to have a more organic sound I’m told…? The phono three should be more compatible with the transfiguration…My phono 5 is not compatible…Trying to develop a plan and go at this one piece at a time… Also wonder about the vac 300.1…? Would think the ref phono three should be my next purchase…?
fanotunes

Showing 7 responses by fanotunes

fanotunes's avatar
fanotunes OP
33 posts
 
Do you think a ref 5se or 6 would match up nicely with the rm 200 or vac 300.1? I read that the rm 200 plays well with the Devore stuff. But I need a well matched pre and phono stage...listen to some chamber music and jazz but mostly stuff like fairport convention, Neil young, doc Watson,...
fanotunes's avatar
fanotunes OP
33 posts
 
 Thank you for your responses pdreher and jadedavid. pd, excellent points bringing up harbeth and the music reference rm-9. I have not listened to an rm-9 in years but that is the sound that got me hooked!  And I bet the Harbeth would be awesome as well. Maybe the audio research pre-amp would match up nicely in the mix as well?

jadedavid is, of course, correct. Speakers first. Just really want to get a phono stage more compatible with my front end going.  Thank you both!
fanotunes's avatar
fanotunes OP
33 posts
 
Thank you for the feedback! I have made a move on the harbeth 40.1’s mentioned earlier. Will get those home and have a listen to those for a bit before I make a move on a preamp. I think they will help with the more relaxed organic sound as I am looking for. I wonder if it’s better to stick with a more neutral pre-amp and then affect the sound with the amp or vice a versa. If I go with a more neutral pre-, I can then hear more of what the components up and down stream are doing? Though, I have read good things about the Ear and will have to read up on the aesthetix since have not heard of it before. Thank you for the suggestions.
fanotunes's avatar
fanotunes OP
33 posts
 
Thank you, pdreher. for your suggestions/feed back. Swapping out the KT-88’s might be an option too? And still thinking the Audio research reference 5SE or 6, with a reference phono 3 would be a nice preamp for me here.  I may have to wait for the prices on those come down a bit though! Regards!
fanotunes's avatar
fanotunes OP
33 posts
 

Well, bought the Harbeth's and then promptly left for 3 weeks on the road...sheesh! Couldn't wait to get home and have a listen. Still moving them around in the room a bit but....WOW! so much more open, organic, sense of ease....did I say wow? WOW! :)

PD, do you have a suggestion on signal tubes and a source for same?

fanotunes's avatar
fanotunes OP
33 posts
 

my room is approx. 14 x 20.  speakers are on the short wall. approx. 2.5 feet from back of the speaker to the back wall. approx 9 feet center to center apart. and seating position is approx 14 feet away. have some toe in but not pointed right at the listening position. just got them up and running and will move them around a bit yet for sure. definitely need some room treatment...curtains for example...not sure how much of that I will do as it is my living room. though, I have no wife to answer to... definitely need to make phono stage next thing I address. transfiguration proteus is low output moving coil and my current phono stage is not sufficiently compatible. but I could tinker with some tubes...

addressing clio09's note...I have played with kt-88s from upscale audio. but, ultimately, have migrated back toward RAM tubes which, to me, sound as good, seem to last longer and are more reliable. I am a big fan of Roger. Will never forget how he took the time to walk me thru testing my then recently purchased used amp. I had him on the phone, the amp flipped up-side-down on the kitchen counter and my multi-meter in the amp...so cool! and I lived!

fanotunes's avatar
fanotunes OP
33 posts
 
 Just to clarify… Grill of speakers is about 48 inches off the front wall.  Center of grill is about 40 inches off the side wall. Speakers do seem a bit far apart, and my seating position is a bit far away. But the speaker sound awesome and I really don’t want them in my face.  Listening to Joni Mitchell right now. Sounds like she’s in the room with me! I need to ask for her autograph! :-) 
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