Sorry for the delay between postings but I wanted to have
ample time to listen to the ARC Ref 5se before posting initial
impressions. This is not going to be in
depth or detailed solely because I believe I lack the broader experience of
listening to hundreds of systems and ‘reviewer-like’ linguistics.
I have now had the unit installed for roughly 6 days and
have around 25 hours on it. Listening
impressions have been formed from a variety of music – jazz, classical (mostly
symphonic and concerti), Americana / folk, and a bit of pop / rock. In truth, I was somewhat disappointed in the
first couple of days. It sounded fine,
but to my ears did not constitute an earth shattering difference from the Ayre
K-5xe. That is probably a reflection on
the quality of the Ayre design – and not necessarily a knock against ARC. It is a broadly similar basis for presentation. Both are accurate and fast, image well, and
have the ability to unconsciously realize that your foot has been tapping away
for several minutes.
The third night was my first extended listening
session. I enjoyed it, but my initial
impressions were unchanged. After the
house settled down, I put on the excellent recording of Brahm’s violin concerto
by Lisa Batiashvili. Then something
strange happened. Lost in my thoughts during
the Allegro section, something got me and out of nowhere my eyes started watering. Somehow the music started touching my
emotionally much more than I can previously recall from a recorded performance. This is the first time that has ever happened
to me. I was emotional mush by the end
of the Adagio. Night after night I have had
similar experiences. Last night it was a
very cheesy recording that choked me up – Ron Isley singing Raindrops Keep
Falling on My Head. (I am truly embarrassed
at having admitted that in a public forum).
There are lots of unaccounted variables at play. Largest is that perhaps having a new
component in the system has forced me to listen more carefully, ergo my
emotional connection. But this didn’t happen
after I upgraded speakers. Maybe its because
the weather has been so bleak. Maybe it’s
the ARC. I dunno – but I sure like what
is happening.
With a bit more listening in my belt there are a few things
I have noticed about the presentation that are different. I have also done my best to purge from my
mind the reviews and impressions from others that I have read. 1) There is
clearly a much larger depth to the soundstage (front to back). This comes across in nearly everything I play
(currently listening to Oscar Peterson’s Blues Etude – and the hi hat is
absolutely a couple feet behind the snare and higher. 2) There is slightly less
glare to the highs. Recordings that
before had a couple of piercing or shrill moments no longer convey that. 3) There is more ‘bounce’ to music. I’m more aware of rhythmic pulses (be it
listening to a soloist spool up the orchestra on Rach 3 or listening to a good
bass player sit right on top of the beat while the drummer is squarely on
it). It is more propulsive and exciting.
Lastly, to put context on the above, I would characterize
the above differences as being a 15% or so difference from what the Ayre
provides, not a 50% or 80% change.
The exception being the emotional connections – that is more binary and
something I can’t figure out.
Greg
