ARC Ref 5 SE and Ref Phono 2 SE Combination

[TOGA]

Was interested in 2SE until reading our member compared it to Ref phono 10. Then 2SE become less attractive to me. But 10 is also way out of reach. Sigh...

[analog brother]

ref 10 is the one, but very expensive.
2se should be good and close enough!!!

[SOA]

Originally Posted by analog brother

ref 10 is the one, but very expensive.
2se should be good and close enough!!!

+1. I'm very satisfied with my Ref Phono 2SE.

[dminches]

+2

[Number95]

Originally Posted by analog brother

ref 10 is the one, but very expensive.
2se should be good and close enough!!!

Before Ref10, I had Ref2 SE. Ref2 SE is a very good performer for the price offering similar settings compared to Ref10 (two inputs, same gain, similar loadings etc). I used to compare Ref2 SE to some other phono stages at similar pricing and concluded that one can not make a mistake with that. It is that good.

Whether it is close to Ref10, my answer would be related to rest of the system, such that a system capable of reproducing higher resolution would get a clear difference in every way. The margin is no less than Ref 10 preamp vs Ref 5 SE.

I still recommend Toga to go with Ref2SE unless he spends 50k+ for analog.

[TOGA]

Originally Posted by Number95

I still recommend Toga to go with Ref2SE unless he spends 50k+ for analog.

Toga will consider it then ..

[analog brother]

see; good, logical advice!
it's all relative.
ref 10 has the dual mono sep power supply. that is the main difference.
much more money though...

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by Number95

Whether it is close to Ref10, my answer would be related to rest of the system, such that a system capable of reproducing higher resolution would get a clear difference in every way. The margin is no less than Ref 10 preamp vs Ref 5 SE.

Might I borrow your spare Ref10 line if you are not running it Numbers

[Number95]

Originally Posted by Harlequin

Might I borrow your spare Ref10 line if you are not running it Numbers

You are welcome to listen anytime Harlequin

[TOGA]

as you wish.. And yes ... An outstanding one. yes I hate to have tubes, but I have to... hmm.. one last one to bring home for audition is LAMM LP2.1 and may be even Aesthetix Rhea Signature.
However with low gain, pre amp vol reached 70 and still no kick , while on high gain preamp volume required only 30 to be very loud. Toga