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ARC Quality Issues Ref75 Ref5SE Ref10

Over the past two years I had several issues with ARC Ref gear and am wondering if I'm the only one out there having so much "bad luck"?

My issues started when I bought a Ref5SE plus Ref75.
The two meters in the Ref75 had a noticeable different color and had to be replaced by my dealer.

Two of the Ref5SE tube sockets were soldered crooked to the board. I found a loose screw bouncing around inside the chassis when I unpacked it and found that the two crooked tube sockets were not even bolted down to the metal support on the main board. ARC apologized and replaced the brand new Ref5SE.

The replacement Ref5SE blew up after 600 hrs of use. A small component in the power section exploded with a single loud bang with smoke following.

To not end up with a nearly new but repaired preamp I upgraded to Ref10. The Ref10 power section also blew up after two months and only 390 hrs of use. One or more of the smaller white caps in the power section exploded (four or five significant and loud bangs with smoke). My dealer just informed me that ARC is going to replace the failed Ref10 against a brand new one.

I can not believe I am the only one having repeated problems with ARC's new gear!?

Feedback and comments will be greatly appreciated !
decibell
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,735 posts
 
No_money: When I bought my 6H30 from ARC, they asked me "what kind of ARC product do you have?". I told them I was going to use them in a BAT integrated amp.
Do they save "the good stuff" for Ref 5SE and above?
Did I get shanked because I don't have ARC equipment?
They should not ask what equipment you own.
They should just sell you the tubes, IMO.
no_money
638 posts
 
I'm not sure Dweller? I know when I buy tube sets from them they are labeled Ref2 MkII. For the prices they charge I assumed they where all well tested and matched. The argument I always heard was that many tubes wouldn't pass, thus the waste and increased charge.
But now I question that argument. This tube wouldn't even light up, totally dead.
I hope they get this straight. I want to upgrade pre amps next year and LS 27 was on the list.
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
12-24-14: No_money
I'm not sure Dweller? I know when I buy tube sets from them they are labeled Ref2 MkII. For the prices they charge I assumed they where all well tested and matched. The argument I always heard was that many tubes wouldn't pass, thus the waste and increased charge.
But now I question that argument. This tube wouldn't even light up, totally dead.
I hope they get this straight. I want to upgrade pre amps next year and LS 27 was on the list.
Tubes have a 90 days warranty so just exchange for new pair. What's the big deal? DOA is not isolated to ARC.
no_money
638 posts
 
Yes, they replaced the tube, no problems there.
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,735 posts
 
The 6H30 is rated for 10,000 hours of service.
Mine lasted 5 or 6 months (i.e., outside of warranty window).
I don't know why I purchased from ARC instead of BAT (my Father used to "spread his business around" -I must have been copying him).
I won't stray in the future.
Merry Christmas!
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