My #@%$ Cat Destroyed My ARC REF 5SE. Soliciting Suggestions.

Train the pussy dude!!

It’s not a pre amp, it’s a Pee amp....
seriously, the R core transformer alone has value.. sell it for parts and get a Ref 6

sorry for the loss

I took the plexiglass cover off my REF 6 and took a look.  If the REF 5SE is anywhere close, then Audio Research used through hole parts on the circuit board.   Also, on the REF 6 main board, I didn't see any logic circuitry.  That was on other boards.  This makes it easier to disconnect and test traces and individual components to see where the problem is.   But first, I would check to tubes to see if they are working, by bring the power up slowly with a variac.

If a schematic is available (which it is not), then testing for voltages and signals at certain places on the board is what is next.

If the logic circuity was damaged, then that is an entirely different problem.

it is time consuming, but doable.  If you don't want to spend the time and money to get it fixed, then maybe a REF 6 is the next logical step. 

For me, I would be taking it apart now and checking components.  after thorough cleaning, and inspection, it may come down to a shorted diode or some such.

I can definitely see and understand why Audio Research said that a new circuit board is the way to go.  I can even understand why it is expensive, but $6,000 for a stuffed circuit board with removal/installation and test?  

Hmmmm?  But, I'm assuming that the circuit board is indeed stuffed.  If it isn't, then there is substantial time and effort involved in stuffing a circuit board by hand.  

Quite honestly, if I didn't want to diagnose and repair it myself, I would send it to an authorized Audio Research repair center like George Meyers AV in Los Angeles and let them figure out what the problem is and the costs to repair it.  I wouldn't tell them anything about the cat issue.

you might get an entirely different response and lower costs to repair.

Unplug it, spray it with electronics parts cleaner and ship if off for diagnosis and repair.

enjoy

There is nothing worse then cat pee for smell and the damage it can cause. I much prefer dog pee if I had to choose between the two. I can imagine how devastated you were when you discovered this problem. There is a silver lining in every dark cloud. This could be a chance to sell  the reference at a loss and buy something else, you might actually wind up with a better sound yet. Then maybe you will you won't be so sore at the cat.
goldenears19 may have a good point with atma-Sphere being a step up and worth looking in to.

Another reason why you should avoid tube amps/preamps which use printed circuit boards.You get all sorts of problems.Hard wired is how they should be.