I used my Reference 5 then 5SE with my Bel Canto REF1000Ms and I thought it was a good combo. The BCDs could sound a little lean in the midrange especially with my Thiel CS3.7s so this combination was great. I've since switched from the BCD to Electrocompaniet Nemos and the REF5SE continues to impress. There's just some magic that the tubes impart to the soundstage that's just hard to get with solid state preamps.
I found the old 5 needed to be cranked up to around 40+ on the dial before it sounded alive. The 5SE doesn't need that high a level but still around 30+ so make sure the gain on the power amps and your speaker sensitivity is not too high so you can run it at those levels. I couldn't crank my Plinius to above 30.
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AcousSignThunderTA5000PurpleHeartNS WandMasterPearwoodII PSA DSD BHK ThielCS3.7SS2.2
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