System edited: Changed a few photo's and added a couple of more shots of system and front end.

scousepasty November 16, 2011 11:19

Nice! and Nicer!!! Enjoy!

lloydelee21 October 24, 2011 18:48

System edited: Photo's added of Ref 40th Anniversary, Qsonix 205, DAC-8 and KT120 valves installation.

scousepasty October 21, 2011 16:00

I have never struggled with volume levels since changing from ARC Ref 210's to 610T's, except when I first installed the Wadia SACD player into the system and this was resolved by resetting the internal dipswitches in the Wadia. The prime reason for changing to KT120's was that the original tube sets were starting to degrade and I figured that this upgrade would be a worthwhile upgrade.
A unexpected bonus has been that the 610T's now generate less heat from the KT120's.

I started off with the U1-PX frequencies set at 30/CLS setting and now run both subs at 45Hz, with both the 25Hz & 50 Hz controls set at +4db, phase set at 270 degrees. I do alter the level control between 4 & 7, depending on type of music and recording levels.

Keep saving for that pair of 610T's, you won't be unhappy!

scousepasty October 21, 2011 15:33

I would expect that the 610T would sound more powerful with the KT120s - both the REf110 and the REF220 sound much more dynamic with them. May be the REF610 is already so powerful you do not notice it with the Soundlab's!

I also own PX Soundlabs and the REF610 are my dream amplification system, but heat concern have kept them away from my room.

Can I ask you what frequency you are using in the sub crossover? Do you use it all the time?

microstrip October 19, 2011 16:19

good to hear your system is back...congrats and enjoy!!!!!

lloydelee21 October 18, 2011 17:31

System edited: At the start of this summer (May 2011) the dreaded valve crackles and arcing started showing in the ARC 610T's at 1400 hours on the clocks. So I got on to Absounds - UK ARC Distributor and ordered new KT120 valve sets. This proved a lot longer process than I anticipated as the valve sets were back ordered by ARC factory on the Russian supplier/manufacturer. Plus I had to make time to get the amps out of my system and haul them up to London. It's now 16th October, so have been without my high end system all summer, and just got it all up and running. Only a couple of hours on the system and I will say the KT120 tubes fill out the lower end and overall system presentation is magnificent. They do not appear to increase the power output, which is not for me a concern, anyway. They certainly present a much fuller sound with my hard to drive Soundlab UP-1X speakers.

scousepasty October 16, 2011 14:55

Thanks Scousepasty...great feedback. cannot wait to audition. i just heard the Scarlatti today.

Hi Microstrip...glad to hear you are still marveling at your Anniv Pre!

lloydelee21 April 16, 2011 14:48

Congratulations on the new preamplifier. After burn-in you will discover that all that is written at the ARC site about the sound quality of the Anniversary is true. I have owned mine for almost on year (2440 hours on the counter ) and every time I listen to an old recording of my collection that I did not hear previously through this preamp I am astonished. The matching with the Ref2 phono is great.

microstrip April 11, 2011 20:15

The Q205 is an awful lot cheaper than a DCS or Zanden and I already have a Wadia 581 SACD/CD player.
I like the interface idea on QSonix/iPad, plus other additional sources can be fed to the USB on the ARC DAC-8, which should be good when I get it all to talk to the net!

scousepasty April 09, 2011 11:54

Hi Scousepasty,

look like an amazing system!!! i have been debating about whether to go with a s/hand Transport (DCS or Zanden) to go with my Zanden DAC.

Then, i came across the Q205. any initial thoughts about how it compares with SOTA transports? thanks for your advice!!!

enjoy your system!!!

lloydelee21 April 09, 2011 11:01

Forgot to add that I have not forgotten the vinyl in my front end changes and have added a couple of more cartridges since last year [mono & stereo Yamamoto's and a Koetsu],also had a new box made for storing them in and my arm wands.
I'm coming to the end of vinyl purchasing (I think) - and will just let my subscriptions to the jazz re-releases on 45rpm complete.
I've still got the mammoth task of catologing 14,000+ albums and have found a stash of 78's that I had forgotten about!
Made a start over the Xmas holidays and this is going to be my retirement project!!!

scousepasty April 09, 2011 08:22

System edited: Traded the GNS modified Ref 5 for a new ARC 40th Annivesary Pre. Early doors for a new amp that ARC recommend a run-in time of 600 hours, but soundstage appears a little deeper and wider. The Ref 5 as modified by Steve at GNS is going to take a lot of beating, and it was just starting to get 'comfy' in my system at 500 hours on the clock. Also bought a new DAC-8, not having had a DAC for many years and needed one to go with the Qsonix Q205 Music Server system that I got at the same time. I've over 2000 c.d.'s and have decided the time has come to put them all onto a hard drive/server and this seemed the best way to me. Have had problems connecting to the net and Qsonix have not repied to my technical queeries - not good so far!

scousepasty April 09, 2011 08:10

Hi Micro, not home just now & so don't have access to my ML manuals, but all are available of the ML website.

scousepasty January 19, 2011 03:40

Great system. The Soundlab should sound wonderful with the 610T's.

Do you know what is the input impedance of the Descent? I am considering them for my A1 Px, but I am unsure about the loading effect on my preamplifier.

microstrip January 18, 2011 16:27

System edited: Just added a few photo's. Front end of system looks different now and sounds better but no photo's just yet.

scousepasty January 18, 2011 11:37

Smweber2, I don't use a balanced switch. Perhaps rather labouriously, I unplug the pre-amp from the power amps and plug those interconnects direct into the Clearaudio.

scousepasty September 08, 2010 12:53

What kind of balanced switch do you use? I need one to run two preamps into a single power amp. Kramer makes a pro audio switch (VS-4X) that looks like it would work, but I am concerned adverse sonic effects.
Thanks,
Steve W.

smweber2 August 19, 2010 01:01

I find it a little cold, perhaps analyitical / digital is a better way to describe it. Perhaps because of the function of driving the speakers direct, rather than through a tube pre-amp, in my case.
I would recommend on its pricing alone and particularly if use and like ClearAudio cartridges.

scousepasty August 06, 2010 15:12

How do you find the clearaudio balanced reference? I am using a cullen modified ps audio gcph at the moment but I feel there is more to give. I run a lagrange into the phono stage and then into my active crossovers without using a preamp. I found using the cullen GCPH in this way without a preamp easily beat a TEAD Groove plus / Vibe phono and preamp combination and at 10% of the cost so I am keen to take this route further. My cdp also is also balanced with a stepped output so I just run both into a balanced switch - which seems to be sonically invisible as far as I can tell

Regards,

Nick

brizonbiovizier July 20, 2010 11:41

System edited: Just had a couple of days setting t/t speed using my newest purchase - the Sutherland Timeline Laser timing tool and thought I would share how good it is, once I got my head around how best to set-up and use it. The supplied one page instructions are vague to say the least and it took me time to settle on which wall I was looking at to see the laser projection settle. But once I got that fixed, it was easy to make minute adjustments on the VPI SDS and easy to correct drift and pitch. I found that using a sheet of graph paper 'blue-tacked' onto the wall behind. Astonishing to see the effect that the addition of the periphery ring clamp to HRX platter had on RPM. Never before have I been able to recognise and so accurately use adjustment of SDS khz and hear the pitch snap in to focus

scousepasty March 18, 2010 17:00

System edited: Just changed my t/t entry so it covers both the table and arms.

scousepasty February 19, 2010 12:21

Forgot to add that I retro-fitted ARC's fan covers/mesh guards to the 610T's which I think help the valve cooling and also [more importantly] prevent little fingers from touching hot valves!

scousepasty January 18, 2010 10:47

Hi Koegz, owned the 610T's about 3 years now and got about 1,750 hours on the clock. They take a good 500 hours to get established in the system [burn-in]. I had a small problem with the one amp when first firing it up, a resistor burnt out because a new valve was faulty and I lost a couple of months while it was away for repair. These guys are heavy to ship!
I upgraded from a pair of ARC 210 mono amps and it was like night & day.
Being a 'valve' man, I always keep a stock of various valves, which I usually buy from Watford Valves in UK. Worth listening to some SoundLab speakers if you like vinyl!
p.s. Just added another 3,500 classical & jazz albums to my collection from a store closing down. Going to need to live until I'm a 110 to listen to them all, so wife says!

scousepasty January 17, 2010 11:20

how long have you owned the 610t amps? audio research lists the tube life 2000hrs. does not seem that long, have you had to replace? how much $? been considering a move to tubes from solid state. do not know if it is worth the extra heat and the upgrade(repair(tubes)) costs, what do you think? thanks for your input.

koegz December 12, 2009 09:03