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  #1  
Old 01-24-2014, 01:55 PM
bjmccoy bjmccoy is offline
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Default ARC Ref 2 Phono preamp upgrade?
I just got a nice lightly used ARC Ref 2 Phono preamp to replace my LP1. ARC says it cost $3400 to upgrade to the SE version. Any thoughts if it is a worth while investment? One more thing, I am surprised how must heat it puts off. It runs much hotter than the Ref 75 power amp. I was considering a Ref 5 preamp in a few months, but not sure my room would handle the heat load. HAHAHA

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  #2  
Old 01-24-2014, 10:37 PM
jpgr4blu jpgr4blu is offline
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Hi Blaine:
I don't believe it should run hotter than your amp. But I will lave that answer up to Ref 75 owners. As to the upgrade, I would grade the improvement in sound as somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 to 20 percent overall. I paid less for that upgrade a year ago so it was an easy call. On balance, I still think it's worth $3,400.
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Old 01-26-2014, 05:37 PM
bjmccoy bjmccoy is offline
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jpgr4blu,

Thanks for the reply, I will plan on the upgrade. Question, did they update the faceplate hardware (replaced black buttons with silver round ones)?

Blaine
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  #4  
Old 01-26-2014, 10:29 PM
Mikado463 Mikado463 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bjmccoy View Post
I just got a nice lightly used ARC Ref 2 Phono preamp. It runs much hotter than the Ref 75 power amp.
6H30's putting out more heat than K-120's ………I doubt it very much…..

Quote:
I was considering a Ref 5 preamp in a few months, but not sure my room would handle the heat load. HAHAHA
turn your thermostat down ……...
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  #5  
Old 01-27-2014, 01:54 AM
jpgr4blu jpgr4blu is offline
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When I ordered the upgrade, I had to specify whether I wanted black or silver buttons as well as whether I wanted a silver or black faceplate. Whole new faceplate and buttons are part of the upgrade.
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  #6  
Old 01-27-2014, 04:35 PM
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George Prentice George Prentice is offline
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The phono stage is two box, put the power supply out side and the controller inside! Maybe that's why they made it two box! :-)


I have a Ref 5SE Preamp... can't make toast on it. One tube puts out a little heat. couldn't heat a closet with it. So, you should be OK adding a Ref Preamp.
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Old 01-28-2014, 12:35 PM
bjmccoy bjmccoy is offline
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jpgr4blu,

Thanks for the reply, just was I was hoping for.

Blaine
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ARC Ref 5SE, ARC Ref 75 ,ARC Ref 2SE Phono Preamp, Linn AK DS, Linn LP12 SE and WA Sasha's.
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  #8  
Old 01-28-2014, 12:40 PM
bjmccoy bjmccoy is offline
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Mikado463,

As you note it not the 6H30's but it is the 6550. It (6550) seem to run hotter than a KT120.

Blaine
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