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Audio Research Ref 6 vs Ref 5 SE

Does anyone compare know the sound quality between the Ref 6 and Ref 5 SE?

What is your choice if you can get a brand new Ref 6 at USD 10,100 and a brand new Ref 5 SE at USD 8750?

mmbl622
jonaiken
53 posts
 
Elem79; You are absolutely correct the Reference 6 is a WOW, no a double wow compared to the 5SE.  I have about 50 hours on mine and I am listening to music more and more.  My wife's complaining on why I am not spending time with her - It is because  I am falling in love with music through my new ARC.

I am blown away by the soundstage, the width and depth of the artist within the soundstage.  The bass is tighter and Ref. 6 is more detailed than the 5SE.  Mmbl622 don't even think about the 5SE you will always wonder what the 6 sounds like.  

facten
2,878 posts
 
here's a couple of review links that compare the 2

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/audio-research-introduces-reference-6-line-state-preamplifi...

http://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/audio-research-ref-6-line-stage/
elem79's avatar
elem79
65 posts
 
Happy for you Jonaiken! Maybe our wives should hang out - It really is amazing how good it is and it only gets more effortless and musical as the hours tick by!!
dev's avatar
dev
832 posts
 

Two thumps up for the REF6 - I had a well broken-in 5SE in my system - only thing I changed was placing in the 6 to demo from my dealer. New out of the box and upon initial listening I was pleasantly surprised of what it was doing in my system both stage wise and sonically speaking - kinda shocking because I haven't experienced this from any other new out of the box ARC product and I have owned numerous pces over the years- always took some time to hear this or that.

It's now well broken-in - very nice pce indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!  

      

  

elem79's avatar
elem79
65 posts
 
Congratulations Dev! It's a fantastic looking and  sounding preamplifier. Enjoy!
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