Somewhat odd ARC question...

[Bavarian05]

Originally Posted by Ritmo

The Ref 5 comes with the plexi top. I would be very careful with using any of these components with the top off - not recommended.

ARC's documentation actually warns agains't using their components without the top.

Mike

I assume this is for safety and/or liability reasons. No kids in my home to worry about.
The cover is so perforated that I don't think it serves much purpose as far as keeping dust out, etc.
I think ARCs Dave Gordan is a member on this board. I would love to hear his thoughts on this.

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[Sharp 1080]

Originally Posted by Ritmo

The Ref 5 comes with the plexi top. I would be very careful with using any of these components with the top off - not recommended.

ARC's documentation actually warns agains't using their components without the top.

Mike

Audio Research has always had that disclamier on their gear. I have owned quite a bit of their product since 1984. I remember hearing in the 90's that some of their gear sounded better with the covers off. The warning was/is for someone getting electrocuted. Steve Huntley would be a good source of info also since he worked there for quite along time. I tried it with no change with my preamps (SP-7,SP-9,SP-14) or line stage (LS25 MK2) but did gain benefit when it was done on a pair of Classic 120 tube amps.

[Bavarian05]

I haven't done any real online digging on this yet, but did run across a review of the new Ref 2 SE from Jonathan Valin at The Absolute Sound.
He notes that he would recommend leaving the top off of that unit. You can find the review on avguide.com. I think my situation is more of a room
acoustic effect. Though from the responses we have here so far, it seems to be model specific and some appear to benefit from having the top removed for listening.

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