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RE: ARC Progress: Reference 5 line stage and the HD220 power amplifier

rgurney,

Yes, I would be interested to know what other makers' gear Mr. Johnson listens to. It's known that he has used Wilson speakers in voicing sessions, but I've never heard anything else on that subject. In my experience, designers of industrial objects are reticent about revealing their influences. Herbert Bloom calls this effect "anxiety of influence"- creative people want to be perceived as original and I imagine avoid copyright and patent infringements as well! Every couple of years I ask Leonard in service what preamp he using at home, and he is always a bit reluctant, though he mentioned a month ago he is still using the 6922 version LS25, one of my favourite LS's.

BAT REX and REF 5 comparison: I know only what I've read in the 2.08 Stereophile review about the BAT REX. Besides being obviously an all-out, no-compromise, two chassis design - and $18,000!, the intriguing feature of the REX is that it has a total of 18 tubes of which a pair are switchable regulator tubes- 6C45 or 6H30. By comparison, the REF 5 is to have 6 tubes on one chassis. The switchable regulators apparently make a substantial difference in sound- Micheal Fremer clearly preferred the 6C45 mode sound. This is interesting and I'm going to look into regulator tube choices more carefully from now on.

What influence or similarities between the BAT REX and REF 5 is a question. Anecdotally, my impression is that Mr. Johnson would have been working on the REF 5 design as early as 2004, which I believe was before the REX was available. Certainly Victor has been a prominent, early proponent of the 6H30 and I would think anyone designing their "reference" product would want to evaluate the top of the line product from other firms if it were available.

Cheers,

Bambi B




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