Shootout: Ref5SE vs. Ref6

[TMcD]

Congrats on the new pre! Nice to be able to listen to both in your own home.

[2fastdriving]

Found a not so welcome improvement on the ref 6: auto shutdown. It defaults to 2 hours, and it doesn't honor an active input signal. Oh no, it just shuts off in the middle of listening.

Yes, you can defeat this, but the default is set to on, and all the menu settings are more difficult than you'd expect. You gotta be fast.

[ctsooner]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

I think you mean Dave Gordon. Great guy, although I was talking to him about the Ref5 and what will be replacing it just TWO WEEKS before the Ref6 launched and he claimed he didn't know when a replacement would come I guess he has to do that.

I love the Vandersteen amps too, I've heard them at RMAF.

LOL, YES Dave, lol. I always mess up his name with a close friend named Doug Gordon. All these guys will say that as they have to deal with the marketing guys. I've been blessed knowing the folks I do in audio and sports and politics. I have always been a networker. I always ask what I'm allowed to share on public forums, but if you love those Vandy amps, just wait a bit. He just launched the 9 subs for about 15k. This is a thread about ARC Ref 6 and I don't want to take away from it as it's so deserving. That's why Richard loves using their gear. I know the company loves feedback as well as visitors to their plant if you set it up ahead of time. So glad the Mac group didn't screw the company up.

[guitardave]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

Found a not so welcome improvement on the ref 6: auto shutdown. It defaults to 2 hours, and it doesn't honor an active input signal. Oh no, it just shuts off in the middle of listening.

Yes, you can defeat this, but the default is set to on, and all the menu settings are more difficult than you'd expect. You gotta be fast.

You can turn this auto shutoff off, or set it to a different time span. Easy to do from the front of the unit. It was very easy and only needs to be done once.

[elem79]

I have the REF 6 and GS150 combo and can tell you the level of synergy between these two components is astounding. I have not heard a more engaging and musical combo in my system. I also came from a REF 5SE and the REF 6 is freaking amazing!

[TOGA]

Nice review.
me too, like Dafos, have been offered to borrow Ref6 to compare with my since-2011 Ref40. I think I can keep it for longer time too. But I denied that chance, for now.
I will be more interested in the next two chassis model in the future and I am pretty
tired in this audio upgrading. I have been doing this since 2007. Waste a lot of money.
It is nice to learn that Dafos keep his Ref 40 for now. So that I follow his path, until the new model with separated power supply come then I will reconsider. Or better If I can find something without short-lived tube that sound as nice as Ref40.
As I have learn for many years, I am quite sure to conclude that at this level of price and performance, it is quite difficult to get a real big improvement, but rather the small differences in presentation Marc has described.
Thanks, Marc and Dafos for comparison test.
Toga

[Tomictime]

The volume ctl change a deal killer for me....will wait to replace Ref 5SE..the gains seem micrometer small.....
I need some quality time with the Vandy amps in my system..
CT my room is tooo small to use the new subs...and frankly w most music I enjoy..not needed.

On the reg tube life and changes...out w old at near 2 K hours..noticen small changes...kept the old dog as a spare..just in case..

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by Tomictime

The volume ctl change a deal killer for me....will wait to replace Ref 5SE..the gains seem micrometer small..... I need some quality time with the Vandy amps in my system.. CT my room is tooo small to use the new subs...and frankly w most music I enjoy..not needed. On the reg tube life and changes...out w old at near 2 K hours..noticen small changes...kept the old dog as a spare..just in case..

The gains take some time appreciate. But I agree, it's not night and day, like some reviews have claimed. I tried not to get too carried away.

You have the liquid cooled vandersteen amps? If so, you should review those! Very cool!

[guitardave]

Originally Posted by Tomictime

The volume ctl change a deal killer for me....will wait to replace Ref 5SE..the gains seem micrometer small.....
I need some quality time with the Vandy amps in my system..
CT my room is tooo small to use the new subs...and frankly w most music I enjoy..not needed.

On the reg tube life and changes...out w old at near 2 K hours..noticen small changes...kept the old dog as a spare..just in case..

Tomictime, have you listened to it? I have to say I think the improvement is night and day. I had the 3, 5, and 5se previously. The 5 to 5se was the biggest improvement previously imo, but this is much larger. But for me the biggest gain is not the detail, which IS much improved, but the musicality. It feels much faster, and much more communicative of the music, in any genre. It is now the "total package" preamp. It does it all very well. Of course, ymmv, but that's how I see it.

[Mikeoz]

Originally Posted by guitardave

It is now the "total package" preamp

....until the Ref 7 comes out ? It amazes me how they are able to come up with night and day improvements with such well-established technology time and time again...