Audio Research Corp Ref 5 SE

It is important to note that ARC stresses that the updated Ref 5/5se's will be identical to a newly manufactured 5se in every way, zero difference. As a current Ref 5 owner, I am happy with this.
Also, regarding the usual silly comments that ARC is always updating products, the facts are that they generally go five years between new models. The ref 5 is less because the unit was already a very fine piece that benefits greatly from an even stiffer power supply and new capacitor materials, and is a fairly simple update. I applaud them for making the update available.

>>I even asked Calvin if I could keep the old face-plate so my wife wouldn't catch the change. He said nothin' doin'. <<

Chuckle! Maybe you could tape little black square pieces of paper over the metal buttons.

I applaud ARC's business model and their success bears it out.

Anyone know how much the update will cost?

Thanks all for the responses to my question. I am glad to hear the upgrade includes the new look. This will no doubt be my next purchase.

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.