ARC ref 5SE current or past owners

Bif
I totally agree with you, but when other owners say that their volume level rarely go over 40, I think it has something to do with the impedance ratio between the units and the long IC between the amps and the pre.
I've yet to find a better solution but will probably audition the Constellation 1.0 line stage or buy blindly the Audionet pre g2...

Icorem ... again, if you find a better match for your awesome looking AudioNet MAX mono amps, then you most definitely should go for it. If you are still in the investigative stage, keep looking.

But I think the volume control setting on the Ref 5 SE is only relevant if you are not able to drive your amp to full power. The amp's 37K ohm RCA input impedance is well above ARC's recommended minimum.

I have 2 suggestions, but only if you have any continuing interest in the Ref 5 SE. One ... if you think you kinda' like the Ref 5 SE match, call Kal at ARC customer service and share your concerns with him. It's a fair technical issue that deserves a technically competent answer.

Two ... if Kal assures you that the volume setting question is a non-issue, then give the Ref 5 SE a serious road test. IMO, it's a great pre, but not the only great pre out there.

That said, if you have moved on and the Ref 5 SE is not on your short list, ... well ok then. Keep looking.

Sorry to perseverate. I just don't think the volume control setting is a key issue. FWIW, I am listening to DG Mozart piano sonatas CDs, played off my ARC Ref CD-8. My Ref 5 SE's volume control is set at 70. Speaker SPLs are just fine. If I move the volume to 80, my ears hurt. And that leaves 24 clicks to go.

Cheers,

BIF

BIF
Thanks for the reply.
I'm leaning currently towards the Audionet pre.

I am doing a home audition also with the Ref 5SE. The unit is running balanced using Transparent super cabling into my Theta Prometheus monoblocks. They are rated at 47k so there is no impedance issues. This preamp is fantastic. My last line stage was the Audio Research LS25 MKII, which I sold years ago. The first thing that impressed me was the bass solidity and definition. The instruments do seem to float in space between the soundstage. The wide soundstage is a known treat when listening to Audio Research preamps and line stages. I was searching for a unit that gave me back that wonderful sweet midrange and treble that I lost using my Classe SSP-800 as the solo line stage.

Please do not misinterpret that last statement. The Classe sounds wonderful in itself, and is fantastic with multi-channel music. It was a personal feeling when listening to 2 channel stereo, that I was still missing that last 15% to satisfy my taste. The amount of definition this unit reveals is amazing, I am hearing subtle cues in recordings that were definitely not present before. I guess the offer is just too good to pass up especially now that there will be a Reference 6.

The Ref5SE is still tops, IMO.