Vijaero5000,
What a system! Really awesome!
Could you please let us know in few words what is the sound of ARC LS26 associated with Bryston/PMC components.
Thanks,
Predrag
Thanks very much Predrag. Looking at the photos on your profile, your system is stunning as well.
In a few words, the ARC is a mis-match in this system.
In a few more words, I had a bit of a pre-amp shoot-out this weekend, the ARC, a Cary SLP98, an AVI and a BP26. Results *in my system and room* were that the BP26 was the best overall.
The AVI didn't have the transparency of the other three so that fell off first. Surprisingly, the Cary (with upgraded tubes) had great clarity and texture through the mids. It is really a great value. The ARC had better sound staging, but things sounded a bit 'black n white' through the ARC. The Cary though couldn't control the frequency extremes, especially the lower bass, which is a big problem with the MB2s: they boom annoyingly if not properly matched.
The BP 26, while it didn't have the last bit of liquidity and holography through the mids as the Cary, was clear, slightly spotlit in the upper mids, with very good timbres and micro and macro dynamics; it also had the best control of the bass. Most importantly it sounded the most natural overall of the four (barring the more liquid mids of the Cary).
The ARC has a more laid back presentation compared to the BP26, which is more aggressive. The ARC was slightly less transparent and slightly looser in the bass than the 26, and timbres and micro dynamics were also just a notch lower. This was a surprise given the price (and press) that the ARC commands.
So the pre-amp of choice for this system is the BP26.