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Audio Research State of the Art Audio Reproduction

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  #11  
Old 11-13-2016, 06:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sander View Post
I also own A REF3 and I compared it with a LS27.

Let me be clear; the LS27 is a great pre-amp and comes close to the REF3 but it is in no way better than the REF3.

Maybe it's a little bit faster, but it does not have the air, the wide soundstage and beautiful timbre of the REF3.

So you should not worry about the step from LS27 to a REF5(SE); it will be an even bigger one, compared with the REF3.

Sander.
Thank you for clearing that. I was always suspicious about such statement, sounded more like marketing line to me considering major similarities between REF3 and REF5(SE).
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  #12  
Old 11-13-2016, 06:18 PM
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That is why Audio Research call their top tier components "Reference". Strange that claim would make it into print.
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  #13  
Old 11-13-2016, 06:38 PM
jakegt3 jakegt3 is offline
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Thanks for all the comments so far. My sense is that the recent "Reference" components tend to sound more solid-state-like than the non-Reference units or earlier ARC components that have the more traditional rich, warm sound of tubes. I currently own the Reference 150 and Reference CD9. These units have the best aspects of solid state ("quickness", dynamic range, bass dynamics) without the less good aspects (edgy, harsh, or hot sounding), while still maintaining the sweetness of tubes. I listen mostly to classical music and for me, the acid test is how a component handles massed strings. Tubes still do this the best.
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  #14  
Old 11-13-2016, 06:54 PM
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The difference between the Ref 3 and Ref 5 is not that big. The difference between the Ref 5 and Ref 5se is much bigger. It is worth getting the SE version.
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  #15  
Old 11-14-2016, 04:51 AM
jpgr4blu jpgr4blu is offline
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Hi Lost Bears:
The difference between the Ref 150 and the Ref 110 is about as big as the difference between the Ref 3 and the Ref 5SE. It is that big. Richer, more palpable images with fuller lower midrange and more defined and deeper bass. It sounds more natural than the Ref 110 which can sound a bit thin at times.
The difference between the Ref 150 and Ref 150 SE adds a little bit to the above equation----but not nearly the difference between the Ref 3 and Ref 5SE.
That was a sea change and all for the better.
This is all IMHO.
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  #16  
Old 11-14-2016, 11:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpgr4blu View Post
Hi Lost Bears:
The difference between the Ref 150 and the Ref 110 is about as big as the difference between the Ref 3 and the Ref 5SE. It is that big. Richer, more palpable images with fuller lower midrange and more defined and deeper bass. It sounds more natural than the Ref 110 which can sound a bit thin at times.
The difference between the Ref 150 and Ref 150 SE adds a little bit to the above equation----but not nearly the difference between the Ref 3 and Ref 5SE.
That was a sea change and all for the better.
This is all IMHO.
Oh I am aware of how much better both the Ref 150 and 150se are. That is my next planned upgrade along with my phono to a Ref Phono 2se. Then I am pretty much done. I just had to finish paying off my speakers before I could make any other big changes.
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  #17  
Old 11-14-2016, 01:09 PM
Harlequin Harlequin is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Lost Bears View Post
Oh I am aware of how much better both the Ref 150 and 150se are. That is my next planned upgrade along with my phono to a Ref Phono 2se. Then I am pretty much done. I just had to finish paying off my speakers before I could make any other big changes.
I would also recommend the GS150 as a strong contender for your upgrade.
I had both the REF150 SE and the GS for a while, and other considerations aside, aesthetically the latter looked like an Bentley Continental GT parked next to a Municipal Dump Truck
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  #18  
Old 11-15-2016, 02:12 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Lost Bears View Post
I tried posting a picture I uploaded to an album. But I seem to have done something wrong. I think you can still browse my album if you like.
If you click on then view a specific photo in your album, below the photo you should see an entry in an edit box labeled "BB Code".

Simply copy the entire line in the BB Code edit box and paste it into your post.

You can then Preview the post and confirm that the photo appears.
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  #19  
Old 11-26-2016, 07:19 PM
jakegt3 jakegt3 is offline
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I ended up buying the Ref 5SE (a used one). Living with it now for just a few days, it's clear that it is easily lives up to all the praise. Within the first 30 seconds of listening to it for the first time, I could hear the depth and 3-dimensionality is a leap beyond the LS27. The midrange has more body and the low-level resolution is astounding. It is very fast and detailed without bring harsh. Massed strings are so sweet sounding. I didn't think it was possible to make this much improvement on the LS27 but the Ref 5SE does it.
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  #20  
Old 01-03-2017, 09:24 PM
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I have an LS25 mk2 but have not heard the LS27. ARC seems to be working to make their sound more neutral (accurate) - at least for the last few decades - and I agree that could make the newer unit sound thin in a comparison test. Or maybe the newer unit had few hours on it(?)

One bad thing about the newer units: they lost the nice toggle switches...
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