Audio Research Ref 5 and Krell amps

I think you have to make an appointment to get it done.

List price is 1k above the non SE model

Kenny, the website shows a Reference Power 250 amp but clicking on it leads you to a totally different product ;)

And there's no mention of the 250 anywhere and that's been in audio shows and also available for sale for a few months now.

There is also no mention of the Phono Reference 2 SE but that's in Absolute Sound website already.

I guess the website just isn't as up to date. I only found out about it from my local dealer who's getting just a few new units in after Christmas and he gave me the option to trade my old 5 for the new 5SE with a top up instead of shipping it back to ARC (that requires appointment and shipping back to US and I live in the Far East).

Here's a link

http://artsexcellence-audioresearch.blogspot.com/2011/12/audio-research-reference-5-se.html

Dealers are taking orders.

Kenny,

You are correct. There is no way all the parts from 40AE can fit into a single chassis. The SE has similar Teflon caps used in the AE and has an additional board with lots of electrolytic caps.

I have not heard the AE but the SE won't top the AE. I think it just slightly narrows the gap between the ref5 and the AE.

Doggiehowser and Sfstereo, just e mailed a local ARC dealer in Philly land. He confirmed that ARC is indeed releasing a new Ref 5 SE version. The announcement could come out at any time. He did not know whether the legacy Ref- 5 could be upgraded. He said (1) the front changed - round buttons instead of square button, insides -- (2) more muscular power supply -- new verticle mounted board with additional 8-12 power caps; and (3) teflon coupler caps.

The dealer said that he has not heard the new 5 SE yet for himself, but reported that the buzz in dealerland is get ready for something special.

Does anyone know if the legacy 5s can be factory upgraded? I don't care about the cosmetic changes to the front panel and round button part, just the guts.