Audio Research Corp Ref 5 SE

I had to wait for the Reference 5SEs had about 380 hours before they began to stabilise. It was great initially, then something sounded off.. then good, then not so good before 380 hours.

I can't wait till after the Christmas break! ;)

Just got mine today!

Running it in now. I think they also changed one of the transformers.

http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/doggiehowser/21bbd5e1.jpg

http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/doggiehowser/c78f57ce.jpg

Let's keep the SE discussions in this thread.

I live in the Far East so it was more attractive to trade the Ref5 back to the local dealer to get the SE.

Since this is a new box, it's hard to do any real comparison. And also because it's now currently in my THIRD system ;)

I am currently using my Bel Canto DAC3.5/LNS which I had displaced from my main system recently with an EMM Labs XDS1 and partnered with, don't laugh, a Quad 12L Active studio monitors (internally bi-amped with Quad's Current Dump amps derived from the 909s ;P)

I had my Ref5 in this system just a few months ago but partnered with a W4S DAC2 as a source. And in the interim, I have used a Bladelius Embla on loan from a friend as a DAC/pre/CDP/media player.

One of things I liked about the Embla was how precise the imaging was vs the Ayon CD5S and the ARC before this. But it lacked the same kind of depth as with the tube designs.

With the REF5SE just out of the box, it appears as if that the imaging is more precise than the REF5. But while still maintaining the same 3Dimensionality.

If missioncoonery's mission statement is always to wait for the next best thing, he might never have to buy anything ever.

Everything gets replaced. :)

It's like guys always waiting for the next intel processor.

Just buy what you need and can afford.

To paraphrase something from another forum I read, be a "sharpener" when evaluating new gear for purchases. Then be a "leveller" and enjoy what you have.

Day two of the honeymoon.

I swear the bass performance of the 5SE seems to have a bit more bite than the 5 at 120 hours.

Darkstar,

I was told by my dealer that yes, it does include the change in the front faceplate and it has to be shipped back to the factory for the change.

And I agree, the Ref5 has been around for about 2-3 years now so it doesn't feel like product churn.

Less than a week and 55 hours later, it's already obvious they've done something special with the SE.

The noise floor seems lowered a fair bit. Where it took me to 50-55 on my old 5 to get some semblance of dynamics, I can now tap happily to the beat and dynamics at 18-20 when I listen late at night. I still listen at 55 during the day so the relative levels appear unchanged.

Where's all the 5SE loving gone? :)

Saw some pics of it at this site:

http://www.my-hiend.com/vbb/showthread.php?5132-2012年-CES-and-T-H-E-SHOW-實況報導&p=164194#post164194

Is that a Media Bridge or DAC?

I use ASI Liveline through a Sound Application RLS240. Awesome.

Yes Mitch4t, it looks like it has the analog sections of the Ref5SE Pre.

It does lack analog inputs or HT bypass, so looks like you will still need a Ref5SE for those bits.