2. amps-preamps
  3. 118928-3663

Audio Research Ref. 3, Ref. 5, or the Ref. 5se.

I am looking to add a Audio Research preamp. Looking at the Ref. 3,5,5se. The 5se is a bit high in price.

I have a Wadia S7i CDP up front with Pass Labs XA100.8 amps. I am using Vandersteen Quarto Wood CT speakers. Witch Audio Research would make the best sense to go with.


Thanks for the help Russ.

russb
tsushima1
1,165 posts
 
I tend to go with the 'save a little more and stretch for the 5se' advice.

statman...If you haven't already? I would highly  recommend replacing the  7amp Slo Blo with an Synergistic Red, and the Sovtek 6550 with an NOS or 100%er GE 6550, IMHO the Sovtek sounds hard, glassy and 2 dimensional *In comparison*


jim_swantko
301 posts
 
Out of curiosity, why have you discounted the VTL?  They make some outstanding line stages.


tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,182 posts
 
tushima1

what is a 100% ge ?

taters
1,149 posts
 
Tsushima1,

SR doesn't make a 7 amp slow blo in the red version. The closest they make is an 8 amp.

tsushima1
1,165 posts
 
tomic601.... an General Electric 6550A measuring ideally 100% emissions.

taters.... My apologies, I was still in Ref10 mode, USA Ref5se takes a 5 amp slow.
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