Hi Samuel, I ended up spending over one year listening to many top preamps in my system, in my room. Among those that I auditioned in my system are the VTL 7.5 series 3, Dartzeel 18NS, and several other. I ended up preferring the new Krell Phantom. Like you said, the bass is unbeatable. Happily, with right combination of other components, the soundstage, timbre and detail is as good as the VTL 7.5 series 3 and Dartzeel 18NS too, so I am making no compromises, and I am very happy. Perhaps you should audition it some day.

I am not conflicted in saying this since I don't work with or am associated with any audio company of any sort, I work in the financial sector. Cheers.

vn101606 December 31, 2011 08:54

Curious how do you like your new Audio Aero La Fontaine compared to your Ref-5 / Ref CD-8 combo.

elberoth2 December 15, 2011 17:16

Nice setup Grant. Opinion on Ref 250 yet? Compared to Berning and prior experience with Ref 210s?

gpgr4blu December 15, 2011 04:50

nice ROOM

vernneal October 11, 2011 08:23

oh..nice maxx3..., how much better from the maxx3 vs maxx2? OTL...seem interesiting

mgmmgm October 10, 2011 17:55

Hi Samuel,

Just came across your system...have digested your remarks contained herein...in either instance -- well-considered!

Best regards,
Sam

c1ferrari June 10, 2011 02:24

No, but I do have some of Franck's wood squares on that half-round between the speakers now and a few other odds and ends of his in the room. Franck is a great guy with a real talent for making rooms sound fantastic through apparently minimal acoustic manipulations.

samuel March 23, 2010 03:02

Love the room. While I doubt I'll ever get to the system you have, a well designed room I can. Just an observation....is that a level on the rear panel? Are the broom and the level some new Franck Tchang treatments I'm not aware of? Wink wink....

awightman1 March 22, 2010 17:02

Thank you for your feedback regarding the Levinson, Krell and A.R. Refs. Cheers.

vn101606 March 22, 2010 01:01

Nicely setup

vernneal March 12, 2010 14:05

Hello, Likely the Levinson and Krell pre-amps will deliver perceptibly more solid bass than the ARC Ref 5. The lower octaves may seem to be tighter and more pitch defined, however the Ref 5 will sound more authentic regarding the touch, texture and timbre of instruments, including bass. There is a 3-dimensionality to the sound of the Ref 3 and more in the 5 that either the Krell or Levinson will have a hard time matching. Once again, though I have not heard the Krell or Levinson pre's I have owned or had long term access to both lines. Based on that I would guess that either the Krell or Levinson will deliver more solid and impactful low octaves at the expense of the fundamental harmonics of touch, tonal nuance and decay. Of the two you mention, I preferred the Levinson sound to Krell but that was some time ago. Both are probably excellent performers.

samuel March 12, 2010 06:14

Dear Samuel, I read you review of the A.R. ref. 5 in the other thread. I currently use Levinson #37, EMM LABS DCC2 se, Levinson 380S with a Krell 700cx and Dunlavy SC-VI, with NBS cables. For me bass is very important. I am considering the Levinson 32 and the A.R. Ref 5. I can not try them in my system before purchasing because I live in Brazil. How would you compare the bass of Ref. 5 vs something like a Levinson 32 or Krell 202. Thanks.

vn101606 March 11, 2010 22:56

Hi Samuel, curious you refer the "Audio Physic" depth - I have some experience with a pair of Kronos and depth was fantastic.
Do you have any experience with the ARC ref 110 or 210 in your system?

microstrip January 01, 2010 23:04

Man I would kill for a dedicated room!

You might get a dedicated room that way Taboooe.

rwwear January 01, 2010 18:28

Actually, the speakers are almost 6 1/2' from bass driver to rear wall so yes, I get good depth. Not cavernous "Audio Physic" depth from when I had their Caldera models halfway into the room but realistic enough. I may have the half-round between the speakers taken out at some point which will no doubt improve that aspect of performance.

samuel October 24, 2009 23:11

Samuel, do you get any sense of depth to your soundstage with the speakers that close to the wall?

madfloyd October 24, 2009 16:03

I thought that was a great review on the Ref 5. I always have a hard time with some folks around here. It's ok to express your opinion, but so many have a axe to grind.

Ever consider adding vinyl or tape as source? (or sacd)?

jfrech July 12, 2009 13:07

Thanks Slipknot1. Yours is an intriguing set up as well with a great selection of sources--love that Reel to Reel. I always enjoyed the Kharmas and loved the sound the Kharma 1.0's made in my room some years back--very lithe and musical.

I am looking forward to hearing the Saschas as well. I believe we will be showing with them at RMAF in one of the Audio Alternative rooms.

samuel July 12, 2009 00:10

Really nice job! I have had a couple of opportunities to listen to the MAXX 3, and they have really impressed me. I spent about 30 minutes earlier this week with the Sascha and was surprised a how much it resembles the MAXX in it's presentation. You have a first rate room and rig. Congratulations.

slipknot1 July 11, 2009 15:20

Hi Jfrech,

I did share my opinion upon seeing the thread with that question:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1245457770&openfrom&25&4#25

and caught the expected flak and unrelated questions. This is a funny place.

I am still fiddling with my room as well. I tend not to notice much difference with the bass grills on but prefer toe mid/treble grills off.

samuel July 11, 2009 14:32

Hi Grant,

So how is that new Ref 5 sounding? Any comments vs the Ref 3?

I keep going back on forth with the grills on, off, or 1/2 on (bass module on, mid/tweeter off) with my Maxx 3's. I seem to like it both ways...

jfrech July 11, 2009 12:12

System edited: System list and pic finally updated. Wilson Maxx 3, Berning Quadrature Z amps, ARC REf5, ARC CD-8 new to system with room, rack and furniture updates.

samuel July 10, 2009 01:38

Grant,
Congrats on the legendary Bernings. Might I ask what taps you used on the ref 210s and Maxxs?

gpgr4blu April 09, 2009 03:51

Actually, I recently bought a larger Queen sleeper sofa to match my new Maxx 3 Desert Silver color. I often listen with my kids so a single chair doesn't work but I imagine would sound better. I will try it eventually when my 9 and 12 year old girls move on or no longer wish to listen with Dad.

I am updating the room currently, and have new amps (Berning Quatrature Z's) and the new MAXX 3's. I'll post some updated pics soon. Thanks for the tip, Raul. As usual, your system looks amazing, Jfrech.

Grant

samuel April 06, 2009 14:54

Dear Jfrech: It is something easy to try and with nothing ( almost ) to loose that could give you a nice/good " reward ".

If you can please return with your experiences about.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

rauliruegas March 29, 2009 19:36