Guess what has just arrived?

[f1 fan]

Mike...congrats, that's a fine piece of audio equipment. Looking forward to the pix and your listening impressions.

Dave

[BlueChiaro]

Congrats, Mike...very excited for you! Have a GREAT weekend...

Sent from my DROIDX using A.Aficionado

[Ritmo]

Hi Guys!

Well, the Ref 5SE is now installed and sounding quite nicely. Sad to see the LS27 go but that Ref is a beauty!

As previously reported here, Ref 5SE has the plexiglas top (looks very cool) and a larger and beefier metal remote.

In addition to the Ref 5SE, I also upgraded the digital cable to link the Oppo 83se and the ARC DAC 8. I went with the new Shunyata Cobra.

Will not comment much on sound yet since it is barely at 1 hr. My wife did come over to the music room and said - "the system sounds terrific! What a difference!". Not that it sounded bad before...

Anyway, I've taken some pictures. Will post tomorrow.

Thanks,
Mike

[jfrech]

Hi, on your digital cable, I'll be very curious what you notice, I am using Cardas Lightning 15 for clock cables...curious if you really notice the new Shunyata's. What are you using before?

And congrats on the Ref 5 SE !

[Ritmo]

Originally Posted by jfrech

Hi, on your digital cable, I'll be very curious what you notice, I am using Cardas Lightning 15 for clock cables...curious if you really notice the new Shunyata's. What are you using before?

And congrats on the Ref 5 SE !

Thanks!

I replaced a Tributaries digital RCA. In addition to the new Shunyata, I'm using a very nice optical cable from Wireworld.

The rest of my cables - PC, IC and SC - are all Shunyata.

Mike

[jfray]

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Hi Guys!

Will not comment much on sound yet since it is barely at 1 hr. My wife did come over to the music room and said - "the system sounds terrific! What a difference!". Not that it sounded bad before...

Anyway, I've taken some pictures. Will post tomorrow.

Thanks,
Mike

If you wife can tell the difference... the REF 5 must be incredible!!!

[Kingsrule]

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Hi Guys!

Well, the Ref 5SE is now installed and sounding quite nicely. Sad to see the LS27 go but that Ref is a beauty!

As previously reported here, Ref 5SE has the plexiglas top (looks very cool) and a larger and beefier metal remote.

In addition to the Ref 5SE, I also upgraded the digital cable to link the Oppo 83se and the ARC DAC 8. I went with the new Shunyata Cobra.

Will not comment much on sound yet since it is barely at 1 hr. My wife did come over to the music room and said - "the system sounds terrific! What a difference!". Not that it sounded bad before...

Anyway, I've taken some pictures. Will post tomorrow.

Thanks,
Mike

Cool wife!
Mine would do the same!

[Ritmo]

g997 - Indeed, she (my wife) is a great lady. Looks like your is as well!

Mike

[Ritmo]

All,

Well, the Ref 5SE is up to 34 or so hours (still on). However, I've had a heck of a weekend at work and have not been able to spend much time listening.

I did manage to spend a couple of hours last evening listening to some of my favorite CDs. Again, my early impressions are that the 5SE is significantly better than the LS.

There is much more definition and finesse in the sound. Voices sound very natural - Krall and Basia sound terrific. The soundstage is awesome. Also, this is a very very quiet preamp. And, lastly, I'm very pleased with the bottom end. Several months ago I was considering replacing the DS450 because I thought it did not have the power to drive the Salon 2s bottom end - that's not the case. The 5SE is so much better in this department than the LS.

Haven't had a chance to take pictures of the setup. I will post this week.

So, for now, let's continue the break in journey. This is courtesy of smooth jazz SkyFM via the AppleTV, Wireworld Optical (thanks Ivan), ARC DAC8, Shunyata Black Mamba (balanced), ARC Ref 5SE, Shunyata Black Mamaba (balanced), ARC DS450, Shunyata Black Mamba (spades), Revel Salon 2s. How sweet it is!

Thanks,
Mike

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by jfray

If you wife can tell the difference... the REF 5 must be incredible!!!

If your wife can't hear the difference you're in trouble

If your wife (who BTW hears better than you do), hears the differences and thinks you're wrong, you're soon to be celibate.