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Audio Research REF 3 and REF 5 Tweaks

Hi, I was wondering what tweaks have been used successfully with these two preamps? I'm thinking specifically of footers, weights, tube dampers, powercords, etc. I haven't considered tube rolling as from what I've read, the tubes ARC recommends are probably overall the best. I've tried several products including Vibrapods/Vibracones, and various isolation products from Herbies on my REF 3 with mixed results. (I keep going back to stock.) So far the best tweak has been to purchase and place Herbies Ultrasonic Tube dampers on the two power tubes, the 6550 and the 6h30, in the powersupply. Strangely ARC does not include dampers for these two tubes but the addition of Herbies tube dampers really cleans things up. I use Solidsteal shelving which have been damped with sand. So what have you all tried that you think would be a worth whild audition? Thanks in advance, Sgr Sgr  (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread) 08-21-10

Responses (1-21 of 21)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it. 08-21-10   "the addition of herbies tube dampers really cleans th ...   Rrog 08-21-10: Sgr Well to be specific, although the bass on the REF 3 is very good, my listening panel and I found that the additon of the tube dampers on the 6550 and 6h30 that control the power supply, made the bass tighter, more refined, and with more resolution. We also found that the placement of the tube damper from top to bottom on the 6550 could also influence the sound. In my system we liked the tube damper placed about 1/3 down from the top. So far this is the only tweak I've found that after the initial placement and careful listening was taken off, listened to and replaced again. All the other tweaks I've tried have not withstood these tests. I've always gone back to stock. I believe if you read some of the posts about Herbie's products on his website, you'll find ohters have heard similar results. I also removed the ARC tube dampers from the 4 6H30s in the rear of the preamp and substituted Herbie's Ultrasonic Tube Dampers. This was definitely not a good idea, as the soundstage and dynamics collapsed no matter where I place the new dampers. As soon as the ARC dampers were replaced, the normal sound of the REF 3 came back, which of course is quite good. Yes, I should have been more specific than "cleans things up" but the phrase does overall convey what happened and I've tried to descibe the changes in this new post. Thanks. Steve Sgr  (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread) 08-21-10   Putting 1950's tungsol black plate 6550 was a big step up fo ...   Elberoth2 08-21-10   I like eat tube dampers on my 6h30s. the nos 6h30 may be wor ...   Rtn1 08-21-10   This one is sure to work and is cheap cheap cheap!! put one ...   Bullot 08-22-10   I recently re-tubed my arc monoblocks, the supplier had svet ...   Lwerner 09-09-10   I've tried various tweeks with my ref-3 that normally work o ...   Oregonpapa 09-09-10   Unhappily the best tweak i found for my arc system was expen ...   Microstrip 09-09-10   3 sistrum points underneith hifi fuse stealth power cord run ...   Dev 09-12-10   - run them without the top cover. 2nd choice - use the opti ...   Arahl 09-14-10   Thanks for all the input so far. i concur on the feet. the r ...   Sgr 01-16-11   I've been told by a trusted friend that removing the covers ...   Oregonpapa 01-18-11   My ref 5 tweaks: gns 'statement' upgrade, nordost valhalla p ...   Scousepasty 02-02-11   Oreganpapa, so what did you think when you removed the cover ...   Sgr 02-02-11   never tried mullards, but 6dj8 orange globes or usn white l ...   Jtimothya 02-09-11   Oreganpapa; the plexiglass top covers can be ordered as an a ...   Scousepasty 02-13-11   Sgr: i heard an improvement in overall air with no degradat ...   Oregonpapa 02-13-11   Let us all know how much the new coverss are.   Sgr 02-13-11   It is $250.00 if you don't buy it with the unit.   Gpgr4blu 02-18-11   Gpgr4blu, think you've put your decimal point in the wrong p ...   Scousepasty 02-18-11   I'll have to talk to my dealer who charged me $250. thanks s ...   Gpgr4blu

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