Price Paid:  $10000.00 from Local Dealer

Summary:
This is about Reference 2 MKII. I have the oportunity to have in my room one MKI and one MKII, and one LS25 for comparision at the same time. Forget about the LS25, people that say that its sounds 80% like the Ref are crazy. The Ref are four times better, soundstage, tonal balance and dynamic. One thing Refs are is to be dynamics like nothing I heard. The Reference Preamps works like two monos preamps in one machine, I think thats why they sound so much better. About the MKI or MKII they are complete different too, MKII is a hybrid desing. Tube lovers won´t be satisfied. MKII is more clear, more realistic and more vivid and unfortunally it causes more fatigue (if you listen loud). This is a matter of taste, what do you prefer, presicion or confort? I don´t know if I have the two ones new witch one I would prefer (I have to listen more). I had to get the MKII because the MKI is no longer avalible. Don´t listen to the MKII before 200 hours, it´s just terrible, the j-fets take long to break in. ARC should burn them in factory.

Strengths:
Presicion, tonal balance, realistic.

Weaknesses:
Fatigue in bad records. Too bright sometimes (if you are a tube lover).

Similar Products Used:
ARC Ref 2 MKI , ARC LS 25, ARC sp16

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I have recently upgraded from the LS25 MkII to the REF2 MkII. Reviews of the REF1 and REF2 MkI preamps are really not relevant as the MkII is essentially a completely different preamp. Same issue with LS25 MkI vs. Mk II. First; Audio Research's Ref2 MkII is the finest preamp that I have heard in my system. I never try to evaluate equipment that I have not heard in my system because there are so many variables that it is impossible in my opinion to talk about one component. Only when you have a stable system and change out one part, can you evaluate the contribution of that part. The REF2 does almost everything well; tonal balance is near perfect, with none of the lower midrange/upper base bloat that was present in earlier models. The highs may not seem as extended as some other preamps, but the more I listen, I more I believe that any perceived lack of extension in the highs is really a result of a lack of grain and hash that so many amps and preamps add to the high end range. The REF2 highs are extended and yet clean. The preamp took about 100 hours to break in. Before that, the soundstage was somwhat shortened and there was not the sense of space around individual instruments that is now so impressive. Soundstage is deep, and very wide (extending behind and beyond the speakers on some recordings) The dynamics are simply astounding... the preamp makes my system JUMP when the recording calls for it. I have not played with powercords for this preamp yet. I am using my standard, which is the Audiance PC (bargain in my opinion). One amazing thing about the LS25 vs REF2 comparison... the REF2 clearly outshines the LS25, but the difference is by no means embarassing. At its price, the LS25 is also an incredible preamp.

Strengths:
soundstage, tonal balance, dynamics

Weaknesses:
A (tiny) bit of mechanical noise (hum)from the unit. Size(this baby is big and heavy).

Similar Products Used:
Herron Audio, Hoveland, Audio Research LS25 Mk2, Michael Yee Audio, BAT VT50.

Price Paid:  $12000.00

Summary:
Great preamps, it offer an execptional soundstage and liquid sound. I had for five years LS-22 (the best ever hear for the price); don't listen him before 200 hours of initial warm-up. Good match together Classe' Audio DR15 and ProAC. Future One.

Strengths:
MUSIC,MUSIC,MUSIC,MUSIC,MUSIC,MUSIC,MUSIC,MUSIC,MUSIC,MUSIC,MUSIC,MUSIC,MUSIC,MUSIC,

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
LS-22,CJ PV16 mk2,ML 380S

Summary:
Much better than Sonic Frontier Line-3. My CD's sound so much better on this unit. Easy to use. One piece unit is a big plus. Very reliable. Remote control is excellent.
Rounds off the edge on CD's and makes them full sounding.
LP's sound great also.

Strengths:
Makes CD's sound realistic.

Similar Products Used:
Sonic Frontier Line-3; ARC LS-25; Meridian 561

Price Paid:  $9995.00 from Soundex

Summary:
Go to a live concert at your local symphony hall, jazz club or college theatre and then go home and put on a CD of like music...you will realize just how bad sound reproduction is even today! The Ref2mkII get's you as close to reality as can be had today!!!

Strengths:
Dynamics, Timbre, Bloom, Action...Music, music, music!!!

Weaknesses:
High noise floor is the cost you pay for music that flows in 3 dimensions. I gave up my Levinson 32 for this puppy because it sounds like real instruments coming alive in my room, not 2 dimensional Hi-Fi!!

Similar Products Used:
Levinson 380s, 32, ARC LS-25, BAT VK-5i