$510.00 for an Aluminum cover for the ARC Ref. 10?

10-30-15: Lostbears
" ...It is a design flaw and ARC knows it."

Hmmmm, no it's not a design flaw. If the unit is placed on top of a rack and air allowed to circulate freely around it, then the top will not warp.

However, if ventilation is restricted, then warping is a possibility. For those users, a metal top is offered.

You could think of the acrylic top as "the canary in the goldmine." I think it's important for gear to be properly ventilated ... especially tube equipment. And I haven't had any problems with the acrylic tops.

$510 is absurd, but I'm curious about something. Is an aluminum cover for the Ref 5SE or Ref 2SE Phono also $510? They are the same size as the Ref 10.

Wow, that is surprising. I would have figured that it would have cost more in the area of $501.23 to $506.71. PS, I used to have a Herron VTSP-3A version 2 preamp, and it did not melt even once. Loved that preamp. I am sure the Ref 10 sounds better though.

Kinda glad that when ARC did the SE upgrade on my Ref 5 they kept the original aluminum top. IMO, I like the black metal top better than a see through plastic job.

As an aside, I've read comments from some who say that the tops on the Ref 5 SE and Ref 150 SE can cause microphonic issues. FWIW, I took the top off my Ref 150 SE. Can't hear any difference. I think it's audiophile BS.

P.S. -- I think $510 is over the top (pun intended). My goodness, it's just stamped aluminum.