I am doing a home audition also with the Ref 5SE. The unit is running balanced using Transparent super cabling into my Theta Prometheus monoblocks. They are rated at 47k so there is no impedance issues. This preamp is fantastic. My last line stage was the Audio Research LS25 MKII, which I sold years ago. The first thing that impressed me was the bass solidity and definition. The instruments do seem to float in space between the soundstage. The wide soundstage is a known treat when listening to Audio Research preamps and line stages. I was searching for a unit that gave me back that wonderful sweet midrange and treble that I lost using my Classe SSP-800 as the solo line stage.
Please do not misinterpret that last statement. The Classe sounds wonderful in itself, and is fantastic with multi-channel music. It was a personal feeling when listening to 2 channel stereo, that I was still missing that last 15% to satisfy my taste. The amount of definition this unit reveals is amazing, I am hearing subtle cues in recordings that were definitely not present before. I guess the offer is just too good to pass up especially now that there will be a Reference 6.
Please do not misinterpret that last statement. The Classe sounds wonderful in itself, and is fantastic with multi-channel music. It was a personal feeling when listening to 2 channel stereo, that I was still missing that last 15% to satisfy my taste. The amount of definition this unit reveals is amazing, I am hearing subtle cues in recordings that were definitely not present before. I guess the offer is just too good to pass up especially now that there will be a Reference 6.