ARC Ref DC7 Power Supply Upgrade

cmalak -- Wed, 04/15/2009 - 11:44

Would appreciate any feedback from folks who have undergone the power supply upgrade to their ARC Ref CD7 in terms of the perceived benefits (or not). Thx much,

Cyril

cod (not verified) -- Thu, 04/16/2009 - 13:25

You should simply have it done from a "reliability" standpoint alone as the new supply is more stable with the 5881 instead of the (2) 6H30's + it's a lower retube cost as well down the road. Sonically I can't say for certain as I had mine upgraded and immeaditately sold it to buy the CD8 ~ but reports are it tightens the bass a tad making it more dynamic & rhythmic. If you are the original owner arc is doing it for a minor charge + shipping. Happy listening

cmalak -- Thu, 04/16/2009 - 14:11

Thx for the feedback Cod. Very helpful. Since you upgraded to the Ref CD8, how would you compare its sound to the CD7? Thx again.

oz (not verified) -- Sat, 04/18/2009 - 03:38

Hi Cmalak

I have upgraded from ref7 to ref8 about 4 months ago...here are my findings..
straight out of the box, ref8 is faster, quieter and as involving as ref7 on the musicality front...however the burn in time is rather long and a lot of patience is required...600 hours says audio research...

then after 150 hours or so the speed started to worry me...the bass definition of the ref8 was nowhere near the ref7...at one point i wanted my ref7 back ...

at around 300 hours, i definetely wanted my ref7 back... ref8 was playing tooo fast... it felts like a stone jumping on the surface of water...tooo fast...lack of bass definition... everything else was wonderful...the depth of the sound stage was to die for...very very quiet... music was coming from a pitch black background... but the bass definition is nowhere near ref7...
then ... just by sheer luck...everything falls into their places...I have changed the power cord from my shunyata anacondas to transparent powerlink MM ...oh boy...the player slowed down to the normal pace...the bass definiton is back...the other positives remained and the missing part falls right into place...ref8 turned into a true reference!!!...

I think the power supply upgrade helped the depth of the soundstage and the accuracy as well as the quietness...but only from my experience Ref8 is picky with the power cord,therefore if you are planning to get one pls try different power cords...My experience with the Shunyata, Transparent and provided power cord resulted in hands down with transparent power cable...if you can try the transparent powerlink mm..its a superb power cord...there might be others that will be as good or even better...trying is the best way...p.s if you try transparent power cord and compare with others and find a better one, please let me know as well :)....

ref8 upgrade is worth every penny...

cmalak -- Sat, 04/18/2009 - 09:04

thx very much oz. enjoy your Ref 8...