ARC Ref 5se VS ARC Ref 6


Ok i need some help and opinions. I just auditioned at my home the ARC Ref 6. All i can say is WOW. !!!!!!!!! I was truly blown away with the sound. Everything is truly there . To me there are no short comings. Ok let me start off by saying that originally i was looking for a used ARC Ref 3. Then i started reading on some forums and on here that the 5 was very close to the 3 and the 5se was truly a great sounding unit and upgrade from the 3. I really wanted to audition the 5se at my home but unfortunately he just sold his demo and only had the 6. I really cant afford the 6 right now brand new But after hearing the 6 with my system im wondering if i purchase a 5se would i be disapointed after hearing the 6. Like the 3 vs the 5se i read it was a very big difference , Is the 6 a really big difference in sound ? Should i wait for a used 6? I know that i have read great reviews on the 5se. I just wish i could of heard the 5se also in my system to compare / decide for my self. Any help would be very much appreciated . 
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xtattooedtrackman
The remote change, IMO and experience driven by the lack of durability of the el cheap plastic remote....
i now ( $225 later ) have the metal remote

 Those Remotes are embarrassingly cheap for a preamp at this price level. The remote for my LS25 was higher quality. The metal remote though is just the plastic one in a metal case. But at least you don't need a rubber band to hold the battery cover on.


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 On the plastic remote for my CD7, the battery cover started falling off all the time. Then the weight inside came loose and started banging around. ARC sent me a metal one. My Ref 5se came with a metal remote.

 I have told ARC many times that they should make one remote that controls everything. I have a row or ARC remotes sitting on my coffee table. I don't think I have ever used the ones for my DAC8 or Ref Phono 2se.