Audio Research Ref 5 and Krell amps

I use it too, both with an ARC Ref 5 and now 40th AE preamp to my Krell Evo 403, great combination!!!!

Well Merry Christmas to you Sfstereo! Wait until you have ~650 hours on it, that seems to be where it fully settles in and then the Ref 5 sounds amazing!

I am very confused about this SE version you are talking about, first off, owning the 40th AE I can tell you that almost no part from the power supply of the 40th AE would or could fit into the single chassis Ref 5 (I just solid mine BTW)

ARC has nothing about this on their site and a goo ogle search reveals nothing, where did you buy this????

What was the cost of the SE version v the standard Ref 5???

That seems pretty fair, I like that they use the 40th AE faceplate on the SE model (I always disliked the recessed button)

Also makes me glad I just recently sold me Ref 5 before the SE version came out!!!

I already have the 40th AE so it had to go anyway.....

Doogie,

Obviously I wouldn't! I was just curious what the price difference was and glad I sold my Ref 5 before the SE upgrade came out! I doubt I will ever need another preamp with the 40th AE, it truly SMOKES the Ref 5 and I loved the Ref 5 when I got it!

I A-B'd them and gave the warm up advantage to the Ref 5 (1,200 hours on it and 4 hours playing time to warm up) v the 40th AE (550 hours and 30 minutes warm up) Their was no comparison, the 40th had EVERYTHING better! Micro and macro dynamics as well as a quieter background and better bass control. The shear speed of the 40th AE over the Ref 5 was unbelievable.

Tylercoupe,

I don't know I would agree that the Ref 5 is any more than 80% of the 40th AE. I had them both for a while and when swapping back in the Ref 5 the sound compared to the AE was thin (something I never thought I'd say about the Ref 5!) and had far less speed, macro and micro dynamics were no contest, the AE blew away the Ref 5, the background was quieter too. In fact, while the AE definitely has better bass control, that was the one aspect that was least significant in my system.

While I am sure the better value likely lies in the Ref 5 SE (especially as you can't buy and AE anymore!), their is no way it comes that close to the 40th AE!

Tyler,

The difference went far beyond the AE being more neutral. The attack was so much more dynamic it was amazing, I agree I never thought I'd use the word thin to describe the Ref 5 which was my own personal reference for a few years but compared to the AE? Hate to say it but it is!

Ture Dat Tyler!

FWIW I use Transparent Ref XL in my rig, love their cables!

Nice system Tyler!

I have mine all run from a Harmony 890 remote so when I want 2-channel I simply ask for that setup and only my two channel gear turns on (except for the EMM Labs which doesn't have remote power on!?!?)

I agree with you that Wilson's are efficient but they really don't act that way! I run mine off 400 WPC Krell Evo 403e and almost went to the 600e's but talked myself out of it, they like power and need an amp stable into less than 2 Ohm loads so needs loads of current.

I bet the ARC 250s work very well with them!

Yes, with the 600e's!

Transparent Ref XL MM2 balanced IC and single run speaker wires.