Pass amp paired with audio research pre?

Thank you for the response!

boring on rock? Audio research can seem a bit thread bare sometimes. Is that what you’re referring to?

My current amp is a music reference rm-100. 

I also have a newly refurbished Harmon Kardon Citation 2. Haven’t had the chance to listen to it yet…

Gotcha. Attributed to amp or preamp?

Thank you for the response!

boring on rock? Audio research can seem a bit thread bare sometimes. Is that what you’re referring to?

Atmasphere: 

 Thank you for your note! Hypothetical. Trying to think about where I should go with future purchases. I live in the sticks. Not much opportunity to listen to other components. I try to read and ask questions.

Been thinking about audio research reference 5SE, Audio research reference phono 3, pass labs 250.8. 

I have a VPI classic 4 with a transfiguration Proteus cartridge…

bdp24:

  My bad! I have an older model RM 200. I fell in love with Music reference amps early on.

Feeling like my system is a bit too polite. Wonder if my speakers could use a kick in the pants from a solid-state amp. Love their organic sound though.

I listen to very little heavy metal. More 60s and 70s rock,  grateful dead, traffic, Fairport convention, Joni Mitchell, ...fair bit of jazz and classical. Do occasionally throw on some Steve Miller, the cars, the police, REM, from my high school and college days…

 Wonder how much of this politeness I can attribute to my audio research LS-16

 Thank you, everyone, for the responses. Sorry for the late reply. I’ve been traveling for the last two days ( 23 hour drive from Spencer, Iowa to Beaufort, North Carolina! )

 Thank you for the discussion regarding input and output impedance. I learned something there! 

monoogan: 

If I understand correctly, you were running an x350 with a ref 5.  No issues with impedance.  What sort of music do you listen to? And how does it sound? What sort of speakers do you have? 

I really hope moving from the LS 16 to the Ref 5 will solve my concerns as i’ve always liked my Music Reference.  If not, a Pass amp may be the next step.

My system seems just a bit too polite. Right now, I am attributing that to the LS 16. If not that, thinking a more powerful  solid-state amp will help.

Could also be the transfiguration proteus as it seems pretty laid back too...?

Thank you for your note.  Obviously an option to consider as well.  Had thought to stick with the tube preamp. Like the audio research stuff. But certainly in option to consider as well

Bdp24:

I suspect you’re correct. The LS 16 may well be the culprit.  The reference 5SE is supposed to have a more dynamic sound, and will hopefully resolve this for me. 

 Markcdaniel makes a good point in that may have to get away from the audio research preamp altogether. Audio  research does have its house sound which can be a bit un-involving at times.

 I have read some good reviews of the Ear products but have never actually listened to any.

 Trying not to add too many variables to the mix. Trying to take an incremental approach...?

Ouch! 😂😉

For my part, I’ve owned a VT 100 mk II, a SP 10, a LS 16, a phono 5, ...  i like my ARC stuff but must admit I find, and general consensus is, they definitely have a somewhat ‘buttoned down’ house sound. Like they’re afraid of being accused of sounding tubey or something.

 For me, I like it because it puts the music on display rather than showing off artifacts introduced by the component manufacturer.  At the same time, it certainly shows off changes in components up and down the line. 

Sometimes I wish I had more snap and thump.  Sometimes I wish they were a bit more forward. But for what I listen to, I think they do a pretty good job. 

 That does not keep me from getting that ‘itch’ to try something new every now and again.

I’d love to have the chance to own, or even have some extended listening time with, a reference 10,…but right now,  I think I’ll concentrate more on paying off the house ...

Just an update… Sprung for audio research reference phone 03. Wow! Definitely more forward, more boogy factor. Listening to some Allman brothers mountain jam right now. Definitely hearing things I’ve never heard before. Much more resolution. But this is just out of the box for me. Got a bit carried away and also sprung for a Luxman Cd player as had the opportunity to buy a dealer demo at a good price. I haven’t even listen to that yet though! I’m broke… But I’m happy… For the moment…