Is it a REF6 or a REF6SE?
Should I Sell My ARC REF 6 and Get A Pass Labs XP-32
So here's the question. I love my ARC REF 6. It's a great piece of equipment. But lately, I have been thinking that maybe I should switch from tubes to a Pass Labs XP-32, as I don't want to worry about replacing tubes in the future (like 5-10 years from now -- I know that there is plenty of stock now and I have a spare set anyway) as I approach retirement age. Of course, other than buying a Pass Labs XP-32 and putting it into my system to see how it sounds, I am at the mercy of professional reviewers. The rest of my system: I have a Pass Labs 250.8 (so I think that there would be great synergy with the XP-32), MSB Discrete DAC with Premier Power Base and Wilson Sabrina X speakers, and a full loom of Shunyata cables. Will the XP-32 be an improvement over the REF 6 for my system? Should I sell the REF 6 and get an XP-32?
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So... I have had the 250.8 for 3 years and like it. I have an XP10 mated to it and have had Focal 1038BE, Sopra 2, Harbeth 30's, Harbeth HLS5SH Super, Sabrina (not the X) most recently the Sasha 2. I then bought an ARC RE75SE- and love it. I loved it enough that I bought the ARC REG150SE- incredible amp. Then, because the ARC was an eye opener, I bought the ARC LS28- which blew away the Pass XP10 (the combo of the 150 SE and the LS28 was crazy good). The Pass set up is still very. very good- my take on the ARC though is that it's much faster, open, airy, bigger soundstage and dynamic- which you probably wouldn't expect from tubes- but- it is better than the Pass in my system. Good enough that my LS28 is with Kalvin at ARC being upgraded to an LS28SE. I have three set's of spare tubes for the REF75SE and the 150 SE and will probably buy another set each for "back stock". I kept the Pass 250.8 and the xp10 because they're really, really good and they're solid state. But, they'll sit on the sidelines while the ARC cranks the system and I'll use the Pass from time to time or in another system. I wouldn't rush to switch to the XP32, the ARC gear is really, really good and in my system it betters the Pass gear. |
@curiousjim, LOL! Yeah I bought my REF 6 (not SE) with a full set of replacement tubes. @sleeeepguy thanks for your input, especially since you and I have similar systems. The combo of the 250.8 and the Sabrina X's and the ARC REF 6 has been great for me. I guess ultimately, I just have to put it in the system and see what my ears think! @speedthrills, thanks for your input too! Although the XP10 is way down the food chain from the XP32 and is probably not a fair comparison. However, based on my own experience, I can tell you that the jump up to the REF 6 from the LS28SE was a big one for me. As usual, as you climb the latter, you typically get more of everything. So if I ultimately go for the XP32, you should get my REF 6 with the spare tube set and sell your LS28SE! :) |
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