Shootout: Ref5SE vs. Ref6

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by oddeophile

It's on a separate page included in your box. Mine was with my Ref 40.

I just looked, there was no page in the ref 5 box. BUT guess what? The ref6 manual does state exactly what you are saying. 4000 hrs for the 6h30, 2000 for the 6550we.

So I concede you are correct, sir.

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by triode12

Thank you for the comprehensive and candid review of the two pres. Now if only someone would do a comparison of the Ref 6 and 40th Anniversary - both with NOS 6550 PSU tubes.

Wish I could help you!

[oddeophile]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

I just looked, there was no page in the ref 5 box. BUT guess what? The ref6 manual does state exactly what you are saying. 4000 hrs for the 6h30, 2000 for the 6550we. So I concede you are correct, sir.

You must have been the lucky one that didn't get the extra page in your manual. Mine was loose leaf in the box. It's been months since I was in my 40 boxes but I think it may have been bright yellow paper. My limited mental capacity ain't what it once was and that's not setting the bar too high to begin with.

Enjoy

[Dafos]

I was able to. IMO the two are neck and neck. It wasn't a long comparison, just two days. I just decided to keep the ref anni cuz it still is a landmark ARC product, and as I mentioned in an earlier post, I cannot live with the new volume control tapering chosen by arc where all the gain is concentrated at the lower level of the volume control.

Btw it may also have been an unfair comparison cuz just after at 2862 hours the left channel of my system turned noisy. I checked the 6550 in the power supply and sure enough the one at the rear ( left channel) had turned gassy. I was lucky that I had two svetlana winged c spares and replaced both 6550's though the front 6550 looked fine visually. Anyway problem solved. I can't say though that the sound improved with the change of the regulator tubes.

[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.

[2fastdriving]

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.

Mine sounds amazing with under 10 hours on it! You should tell em to hand it over!

[JimmyS]

Thanks for the review. The properties of the Ref 6 look to be aligned with my musical tastes. Guess a Ref 6 / XP-30 duel is gonna happen at some point in the basement with the current XP-20.

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by JimmyS

Thanks for the review. The properties of the Ref 6 look to be aligned with my musical tastes. Guess a Ref 6 / XP-30 duel is gonna happen at some point in the basement with the current XP-20.

That would be awesome! I really look forward to that kind of matchup

[jdandy]

Marc.......I enjoyed reading your preamp comparison between the REF 6 and REF 5SE. The photos look good, too. I wasn't surprised to see you make the decision to purchase the REF 6. New owner comments have been extremely positive which your shootout seemed to confirm.

It might be time to begin thinking about budgeting for the new Audio Research GS150 power amplifier, the perfect compliment to your new REF 6 preamplifier. As sweet as the Esoteric A-02 amp is, I think you may be leaving some performance synergy on the table. Just sayin'.....

[2fastdriving]

Thanks Dan. I did try the GS150 in my home, with the Ref5 at the time. It is a great amp, and it's probably something I'll keep in mind later on. I do have a fetish for Dan D'Agostino. Wait, that didn't sound right.