Audio Research Reference 1

fsmithjack January 07, 2015 13:29

System edited: I added a BPT Pure Power Center in place of the PS Audio Ultimate Outlet and am now running the ARC monoblocks through the BPT power conditioner.

norfish April 13, 2009 15:37

I like it quite a bit. I have no thoughts about upgrading right now, except maybe my equipment rack. BTW, the Ref.1 is prone to microphonics so benefits from tubes that are very stable. I got mine from Upscale Audio.

Randy

norfish December 15, 2008 14:52

How do you like the Ref 1?

George

georgios December 07, 2008 08:57

Randy,

Reading your post regarding the Verity loudspeaker being a bit to revealing (Upgrading from Kharma 3.2 to Verity Parsifal,04-01-08 Norfish.) Can you provide a short explanation of what you mean in turn of what the speakers presented.

My main focus is midrange and highs for percussion with better separation of instruments.

Pierre

lapierre April 24, 2008 04:02

Thanks Chadnliz, at the end of the day, it's how the music moves you that counts. Randy

norfish April 07, 2007 13:15

Beautiful system, nice room with well thought out treatments, great gear and awesome music selection, you got it all man..............sweeeeeeeeeeeet!

chadnliz April 07, 2007 01:15

System edited: Replaced Discovery Essential Speaker cables with Purist Audio Venustas. I also replaced the jumpers on the Verities with Venustas jumpers. To be honest, I think that replacing the jumpers made more of an improvement. Mostly in bringing out the midrange and a bit more articulation in the bass.

norfish April 06, 2007 18:30

System edited: Added Yani A-991. My wife gave it to me for my birtday. Costs about the same as a speaker cable upgrade. The best birthday present I ever received!

norfish November 06, 2006 16:15

I compared the Wireworld with Ensemble and Nirvana, both single-ended, and liked the Wireworld AES/EBU better. But these were not night and day differences.

I was searching for speakers for about 2 years before hearing the Parsifals. Since there was only one high-end dealer here in Knoxville, I visited stores whenever I was travelling. Speakers that I listened to during that period were: Vandersteen 5A's (too slow), Kharma 3.2's (too anemic), Watt Puppy 7's (nice but the bass seemed bloated and they never had the magic that I was looking for), B&W802D's (very nice and almost electrostatic like in the mids), and probably a couple of others that I forget. I was so convinced by reviews that the Vandersteen's or the WP's were for me, that I went out of my way to hear each of them on two occassions. But it only took one listen to the Parsifal Ovations to realize that these speakers had the magic that I was looking for. They don't plumb as deep into the bass as the WP's or even my previous speakers (Alon Circe's), but their bass is tuneful and quite full (after the mandatory 5-6 hundred hour breakin!). And the midrange draws me into the music every time. They also image marvelously.

Randy

norfish September 26, 2006 17:59

Norfish-

I have the VA Parsifal Ovations on my short list, in fact I am down to the shortests of lists right now. I may take the plunge soon. I have the Peak Consults Incognto X and SF Amati on the list too..

What other speakers were on your list? What were the key charactoristics that compelled you to pull the trigger on the VA's over any others?

Thanks in advance, John

jb8312 September 24, 2006 00:40

Hi Randy, I'm an audiophile from The Netherlands. Recently I replaced my Pure Note Paragon Enhanced AES/EBU digital interlink with the Wireworld Gold Starlight II S/PDIF, which was residing in the closet. I must say the Wireworld is more pleasant to listen at, because the midrange presentation is more full and there seems to be more PRaT, although the Pure Note has better detail rendetion. Do you still have the Gold Starlight? What is your opinion: do AES/EBU digital cables in general sound a bit laid back in comparison with S/PDIF? I have owned a Purist Audio Dominus AES/EBU digital once, but it had also this laid back sound quality. Thanks.

Chris Hie

dazzdax September 23, 2006 17:54

System edited: I replaced my beloved Alon Circes with Verity Audio Parsifal Ovations following a two year search! After a 500 hour breakin (so far), the Ovations retain the musicality of the Circes but have an even wider and deeper soundstage, and bring a certain level of refinement that was previously missing. It's still early days in my setup of the Ovations, however, and I do not believe that I have gotten the most out of them. Even the 700 hour breakin period for the woofers has not yet been completed.

norfish August 01, 2006 18:16

Thanks but the Klyne is a keeper!

norfish May 09, 2006 20:25

if you want to sell your klyne......my $$$ are ready!

Let me know!

Bye!

hthobby May 07, 2006 06:21

Thanks Labombarda, When I started collecting records in the 80's, I did not put my records in plastic sleeves and got the dreaded LP imprint on my jackets. With plastic sleeves, the jackets stay pristine.

Randy

norfish April 17, 2006 16:12

Great record collection, in plastic to boot! I store my pristine vinyl the same way.

[email protected] April 10, 2006 18:45

Thanks Gregg. I have quite a few mono records from 30's swing up through small bebop groups of the mid 50's and really enjoy them with the mono Helikon. Fortunately, the
loading is close to that of the Benz Ruby, so it only takes a few minutes to change armwands and carts.

Randy

norfish February 19, 2006 19:12

I'm impressed with the hardware and software. Someone who is willing to buy a mono cartridge must really love music.

gregadd February 19, 2006 02:12

System edited: Just upgraded the amps with Great Northern sound Reference level mods, including balanced inputs, Cardas connectors, new caps, and assorted other changes to the passive components. First impressions are that the sound is much cleaner. But the power cords and the amps still need to burn in.

norfish July 28, 2005 14:17

Hi Randy - Did you post more pics? Your LP collection is huge - I'm envious! Looks like the result of many, many years of collecting vinyl. What type of music do you listen to?

skushino May 23, 2005 20:09

Thanks James, it was fun listening to the Koetsu Rosewood you brought over. I'm thinking about the RSP. But the Benz is sounding very nice with my new Discovery Essence phono cable. You'll have to come over again soon.
Randy

norfish March 03, 2005 03:08

Randy,
The pics look great! Hope to get to listen to your system again. As for Ron's comment, I initially thought you listening position seemed to close, but it sounded great, and sound is all that matters (to me anyway). I'm still trying to find that perfect spot for my Vandersteens in my new listening room. Hopefully, it won't take me a year. I'm also in the process of building a equipment stand. It will be like the Arcici suspense, only made from Walnut. Happy Listening!
James

vinyl_junkie March 02, 2005 20:09

Try some Gain Cells on the amps.

tabl10s March 02, 2005 16:55

Hi Ron,
My listening spot forms an equilateral triangle (same on all sides) with about 7 feet to each speaker. I'm sitting about 2 and a half feet from the back wall. This spot works best for both imaging and bass response. This is called listening in the nearfield.

Regards, Randy

norfish March 02, 2005 16:34