Audio Research Reference 6 Preamp Review

However I do know someone who owns a REF 10 and said that the REF 6 is 90% of the REF 10.

I would take comments like, However I do know someone who owns a REF 10 and said that the REF 6 is 90% of the REF 10 with a grain of salt.

The only way to know is to compare for yourself. 

jhconnor31 posts07-19-2016 10:08pmI certainly have not. However, I spoke with "a person" at Audio Reaearch about the two. He said, fairly matter-of-factly, that despite the improvement in the Ref 6 power supply that, in his opinion, the 40th Anniversary still out performed it. If the Ref 6 is even close then I would highly recommend giving it an audition.

I have Ref250SE and preamp came up when talking to someone at ARC and he also said 40th Anniversary out performs Ref 6.   

jhconnor, typically one box solutions are not considered 'no cost object' designs. Let's be fair, how about asking this person a direct comparing between the 40th anniversary edition and Reference 10?

One is not superior to the other but just different.  Mainly due to different capacitors.

5,6,40,10 - they all share the same circuit design.  The 6 has improvements trickled down from the 10.   Dual mono power supply makes a significant difference separating the first tier Ref gear (5,6) from the second tier Ref gear (40,10).  

The system context that allows one component to fulfill its potential may be limiting to another component from a higher class.  Without that context most comparisons are limited.

I think ARC is doing more than upgrading capacitors.  I loved my ARC 40th and switched to the Ref. 10.  More than an icremental improvement: attact, bass, extension, mids, depth and width of sound stage, etc.  Takes more than a capacitor tweek to deliver that.  Don't get me wrong. The earlier ARC stuff is great.  I just find the newer stuff alot better and so it should be with technolgy and if its going to go head-to-head with the top three, including Constellation.

TY-elem79.

Which model- Ref6, Ref10 or $40th costs the most retail?