Shootout: Ref5SE vs. Ref6

[guitardave]

Yes, given their 3 year product offering lifespan I would certainly hope that the next model will be better! They have 3 years to work on it!
Do you know any companies that DON'T improve their products in the following three years from introduction? Not sure I would buy from those guys...

[elem79]

I compared the ref 5se side by side to the 6 and the choice was clear. The ref 5 sounded slow in comparison. The ref 5 is a really great preamp, but the ref 6 is just better to my ears. It just sounds more like music does and makes me want to listen past the point I can stay awake.

[2fastdriving]

My new ref6 seems more susceptible to break in changes than my other gear has been. I've had some serious ups and downs with it. I've only got 57 hours on it, I didn't let it run for days or anything. I also have a brand new shunyata alpha hc hooked up. Normally I'm a skeptic...really starting to believe it.

[elem79]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

My new ref6 seems more susceptible to break in changes than my other gear has been. I've had some serious ups and downs with it. I've only got 57 hours on it, I didn't let it run for days or anything. I also have a brand new shunyata alpha hc hooked up. Normally I'm a skeptic...really starting to believe it.

Hang in there, mine was very up and down in the first 200 hrs. It wasn't until 250 hours I started to reach a sonic bliss I've not heard in my system before. I now have just over 300 hours and still it continues to get even better!

I'm always using the Aplha HC.

Like note said, "Your patience will be rewarded"

Enjoy!

[tima]

Originally Posted by guitardave

Yes, given their 3 year product offering lifespan I would certainly hope that the next model will be better! They have 3 years to work on it!
Do you know any companies that DON'T improve their products in the following three years from introduction? Not sure I would buy from those guys...

Sure. The Lamm M1.1 ran from 1993 - 2003. Its successor, the M1.2 remains unchanged since its introduction; it was updated with parts not available at the time the M1.1 was introduced.

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by tima

Sure. The Lamm M1.1 ran from 1993 - 2003. Its successor, the M1.2 remains unchanged since its introduction; it was updated with parts not available at the time the M1.1 was introduced.

I prefer a company that innovates and evolves. Not to say Lamm is bad... They aren't, I've heard their gear.

[RLF]

Originally Posted by RLF

Marc-

Thanks for the splendid comparison of these 2 ARC preamps in your system. The Ref 6 also looks great with your new amp.

I'll also soon be auditioning a Ref 6 and comparing it to my Ref 5SE. My ARC dealer informed me earlier this week that their recently acquired demo Ref 6 is almost broken-in and when its finished then I can then bring it home for home audition.

I'm presently doing a home audition of the demo Ref 6 thanks to my ARC dealer. It sounds stunning even though it only has 260 hours on it now.

Marc, I hear many of the same attributes that you do in your detailed review of these 2 preamps.

To my surprise, the Ref 6 offers a greater improvement than I expected in comparison to my 5SE which I've owned for 2&1/2 years. In my opinion, ARC really did their homework on improving their top-of-the line "one box" preamp this time around.

[elem79]

Originally Posted by RLF

I'm presently doing a home audition of the demo Ref 6 thanks to my ARC dealer. It sounds stunning even though it only has 260 hours on it now. Marc, I hear many of the same attributes that you do in your detailed review of these 2 preamps. To my surprise, the Ref 6 offers a greater improvement than I expected in comparison to my 5SE which I've owned for 2&1/2 years. In my opinion, ARC really did their homework on improving their top-of-the line "one box" preamp this time around.

I couldn't agree more! I've got just over 300 hours on mine and it just doesn't quit getting better. Had 5SE and the REF 6 just takes things to another level. It's just sounds so much more musically right sounding to me. ARC really knocked this one out of the Park!!

[pete6737]

Originally Posted by elem79

I couldn't agree more! I've got just over 300 hours on mine and it just doesn't quit getting better. Had 5SE and the REF 6 just takes things to another level. It's just sounds so much more musically right sounding to me. ARC really knocked this one out of the Park!!

Aw hell,
Now I have to try one. Just when I thought the financial bloodletting was over.......

[RLF]

Originally Posted by pete6737

Aw hell,
Now I have to try one. Just when I thought the financial bloodletting was over.......

Hell, it's pretty darned good. A side effect of the 6 is that your tube amp (same as mine) will sound like it has a good deal more watts than with the 5SE feeding it even though that is kind of hard to believe. At least it does in my system.