Bob,
Auditioned the Arc ph7 and it didn't have enough gain for my cartridge. I also tried esoteric's new phonostage, which was very good, but not so good to warrant the high price. The whest ps 30rdt has the gain, it's very quiet, revealing, dynamic, neutral. To my ears there's great synergy with Arc tube gear. The whest also has balanced outs. There's a good review on the whest in Stereo Times.

Erik

ebe February 08, 2010 03:14

Hi Ebe, I was looking at Agon regarding tubes in Ref110, and saw your system. Mine is similar in respect to a Ref3 pre and Ref110 amp. I notice you are running the whest 30rdt, what is your opinion of this and the match with your ARC gear. Have you by chance auditioned the ARC PH-7 against the whest?

bobvin February 07, 2010 19:37

Hey Joel,

Sorry it took so long to respond. Got some pics up. To answer your questions: I no longer integrate my two systems, don't want to waste the tubes, plus the Meridian is better suited to home theater duty. It's also great for music...I listen to a lot of rock CDs through this system using my Esoteric as the source. Most of my listening is focused on jazz, 50s hard bop to be exact, so the ARC / S.F./ VPI are a great combo.Plenty of power in the Ref 110 to drive the Elipsas. To my ears it's a wonderful, you are there system, except for rock.
Hope you're enjoyng the holidays!
Cheers,
Erik

ebe December 26, 2009 19:39

System edited: Got some pics up.

ebe December 26, 2009 19:27

Ebe, very nice system! How is the matching between the REF110/REF3 and the Elispsa's? How is the integration of your stereo system within your home theatre one? Please post some pictures when you get the time...

joel_hifi November 21, 2009 21:37