Ref 5 vs. Ref 5SE

[Mikeoz]

You could be right and no one has suggested otherwise. I listen to a lot of Rock so the SE probably suits my needs better. Shame they rarely come up on the used market, and at crazy prices...

[jpgr4blu]

The 5se is substantially better on rock than the 3 or 5. I haven't looked at prices, but would it be worth getting a 5 and then, after a time with it, sending it to ARC for the se upgrade?

[Mikeoz]

Originally Posted by jpgr4blu

The 5se is substantially better on rock than the 3 or 5. I haven't looked at prices, but would it be worth getting a 5 and then, after a time with it, sending it to ARC for the se upgrade?

Thanks for that and confirms what I understood.

The cost of the upgrade is quite high in the UK so it probably makes sense to wait for a newer unit to come up. Really need ARC to bring out a new model as the SE is still very rare on the secondhand market.

Need to be patient ... this info has been really helpful thanks all for your input

[TMcD]

I just bought a dealer demo 5se to replace my 5, warming up right now, looking forward to hearing the differences. Will report more later.

[soundslikemusic]

Originally Posted by TMcD

I just bought a dealer demo 5se to replace my 5, warming up right now, looking forward to hearing the differences. Will report more later.

Looking forward to your comments on this regards. I also now 5 demo. Can't wait to get my 5se sometime end of January. Hopefully a start of a great audio year.

[Ritmo]

Congrats on the 5SE. Let us know how you like it!

[Mikeoz]

Yes very interested to hear your opinion of the two.

[MPS]

Waiting for comments, on paper they are pretty much the same, well, Teflon output caps and extra capacitance in PS..

[TMcD]

First the upgrade is worth it just for the metal remote.

I am really enjoying the differences, main things I am noticing are;

Better dynamics, sounds more lively and faster
Better and a more clearly defined bass
Lower noise floor and better detail

In a lot of ways it is more of the same, same sonic signature just lots more info coming through. Similar upgrade from when I went from the Ref110 to the 150.

I am listening to Bill Evan's "Sunday at the Village Vanguard" which I know very well. I keep looking around the house to see if someone is here because I have never heard the crowd so clearly.

Really happy with the new pre.

[TMcD]

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Congrats on the 5SE. Let us know how you like it!

Thanks very much!