Is it really night and day


I just read that someone went from a ARC ref-5se to a Ref-6. They claim it is a night and day difference. For some reason I find that hard to believe. I can see there being a difference but night and day to me is an exaggeration. I'll tell you why I think this way. I had an ARC LS-25 for about 10 years and I always thought It was a good pre-amp. One day I got a bug up my ass and decided to upgrade to a LS-27. 

While I will agree the 27 is better than the 25 I would not say there is a night and day difference. Now that is a spread of about 10 years in a model. So of course you do expect some improvements and I have received those. 

Now going back to the Ref-5se. I think it has been around about 3 years. Now they have the Ref-6. So in 3 years there is a night and day difference between the 5Se and the 6 but after a 10 year period between the Ls-25 and the 27 there are a few minor differences. 



taters
I agree with JMcGrogan. Since most people on this forum (me included) are constantly listening for ANY improvement to their systems, when we hear a marked improvement (ie 15 percent vs, say, 10 percent), we call that night and day. 
Ivan,

I think the comparison you gave would be night and day. But it is far from the comparison I gave.

I have often found that audiophiles drop off the "in" from the front when they use the word significant.
taters-
 Ihave had the pleasure of auditioning the ARC Ref3, Ref5 & Ref5 SE models.  The Ref6 is going to have to be very "special" to top the 5SE pre-amp.
Jafant,

I am not saying that the Ref-6 Isn't better than the Ref-5se. What I have a problem with is when they describe it as a night and day difference. 

I get get so sick of seeing these night and day references no matter what company they are talking about. It is Just a plain outright exaggeration.