Audio Research Corp Ref 5 SE

Clickable link:

http://artsexcellence-audioresearch.blogspot.com/2011/12/audio-research-reference-5-se.html

Jonathan Valin recently reviewed the Ref Phono 2 SE in Playback magazine. Of course he found it much better than the base version. I'll never make my own comparison since that's way more money ($12,995) than I'll ever pay for a phono stage. I tried to post a link to the article but it was five lines long! Here's a link to the blog section: http://www.avguide.com/blog - The post is near the top of the list.

Jonathan Valin Reports Upgrades to Legacy Units Possble:

Yesterday, I asked:

Hello Jonathan,

I own an ARC Ref 5, which I enjoy quite a bit. I've heard some very positive buzz in my hi-end audio community that the SE version is a significant step up. Your blog implies that that the Ref PH 2 and Ref 5 can be upgraded to SE grade. Is that your inference or did the ARC folks affirmatively state that to be the case in fact?

He later answered:

Both the linestage and the phonostage can be updated to SE versions. This is not an inference; it is (or soon will be) a fact. ARC's Warren Gehl gave me the scoop. As I said below, ARC will announce the upgrade program sometime around the start of the year. You will have to make an "appointment" to have your unit(s) serviced. I do not know how much ARC will charge for these upgrades.

FYI -- Happy Holidays and New Year!!

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

Doggiehower,

The REF 5SE is an amazing piece. It's worth the wait. I waited over three months for my unit. I have 40 hours on the unit now and it's sounding better everyday. Only another 560 hours of break in to go.