Audio Research Ref 5 and Krell amps

The loss from selling the Ref5 may be larger than just topping up for the upgrade, no?

I already have the 40th AE so it had to go anyway.....

Why would you buy the Ref5SE when you already have the Anniversary? ;)

Doogie,

Obviously I wouldn't! I was just curious what the price difference was and glad I sold my Ref 5 before the SE upgrade came out! I doubt I will ever need another preamp with the 40th AE, it truly SMOKES the Ref 5 and I loved the Ref 5 when I got it!

I A-B'd them and gave the warm up advantage to the Ref 5 (1,200 hours on it and 4 hours playing time to warm up) v the 40th AE (550 hours and 30 minutes warm up) Their was no comparison, the 40th had EVERYTHING better! Micro and macro dynamics as well as a quieter background and better bass control. The shear speed of the 40th AE over the Ref 5 was unbelievable.

I have access to Ref 40 and just picked up Ref5SE...

When listening to 40 v 5(non SE). I would say the 5 got about 80-85% of the 40...but was weaker primarily in lower register definition and transparency...the 40 just has very little signature. I expect the SE will change this and get closer to 95-98% of 40 for half the cost.

Need my SE to break in but will report in a few months...I don't expect the SE to top 40 but it will be a hifi bargain

FWIW...I think Ref 150 is hifi amp bargain...I have both 150 and 250s...and while 250 is better primarily in low end articulation and at higher volumes...there is a range in which the 150 is almost there for a lot less...and that's a lot of extra $$$$ for music