Seems most items have a price point category and a level of competition.
Audio Research apparently places their "REF" series in the same category as other products of the same price point.
In my opinion, when you are in the high end of audio play back equipment, Jaw dropping differences are very rare. I really haven't heard serious Jaw dropping differences in a while. I have and do hear differences all the time. But they are subtle. The questions to me are 1) am I there yet? 2) are the differences such that it "justify" (that word again) me coming out of pocket for this "upgrade", 3) can I afford this upgrade?
I am definitely not in the amp of the month club. I upgrade when I feel something is missing and that new piece fills that gap. or (and I think many of us are in the category also), a piece comes along that is as good or better than your original piece and some one offers a price that you simply cannot walk away from. That does happen.
I "upgraded" from a REF 3 to a REF 5SE last year. REF 3 to REF 5 wasn't worth the change. The differences weren't that great to justify it. However, The REF 5SE was enough of a difference. Don't get me wrong. Unlike some I have read hear on Audiogon, just because one upgrades from one piece to another does not invalidate the original piece. I would tell most people (if they cannot afford a piece in the REF 5SE or REF 6 range to definitely get the REF 3. Heck, I'll tell people to get an SP 11 or SP 15 also. With new tubes, these rock). But back to my point, I purchased the REF 5SE at a really nice price for me. Almost couldn't pass it up. But, just a quickly, I found out about Audio Research's trade in/trade up policy. They offered me more for my REF 5SE towards a REF 6 than what I paid for it. Also, the REF 6 was a demonstration unit from Audio Research called an R unit. or some such. It was used by a reviewer and returned to Audio Research. So, I got it at a really nice price. Also, It only had 24 hours on it. I felt good about the purchase. And before I returned the REF 5SE, I got to do direct comparisons between the REF 3, REF 5SE and REF 6. Oh boy, what fun.
As I mentioned earlier, I don't believe that the LS 28 is better than even the REF 5SE let alone the REF 6. However, I know there is trickle down technology in the LS28 and you really can't go wrong with it either. The REF 6 is at another level. Same as the REF 10. Wow, what a piece of equipment. Great sound. If I could get my hands on one for a "price I can't walk away from", I would probably do so.
enjoy
