Audio Research Corp Ref 5 SE

Jonathan Valin recently reviewed the Ref Phono 2 SE in Playback magazine. Of course he found it much better than the base version. I'll never make my own comparison since that's way more money ($12,995) than I'll ever pay for a phono stage. I tried to post a link to the article but it was five lines long! Here's a link to the blog section: http://www.avguide.com/blog - The post is near the top of the list.

Jonathan Valin Reports Upgrades to Legacy Units Possble:

Yesterday, I asked:

Hello Jonathan,

I own an ARC Ref 5, which I enjoy quite a bit. I've heard some very positive buzz in my hi-end audio community that the SE version is a significant step up. Your blog implies that that the Ref PH 2 and Ref 5 can be upgraded to SE grade. Is that your inference or did the ARC folks affirmatively state that to be the case in fact?

He later answered:

Both the linestage and the phonostage can be updated to SE versions. This is not an inference; it is (or soon will be) a fact. ARC's Warren Gehl gave me the scoop. As I said below, ARC will announce the upgrade program sometime around the start of the year. You will have to make an "appointment" to have your unit(s) serviced. I do not know how much ARC will charge for these upgrades.

FYI -- Happy Holidays and New Year!!

I can't wait till after the Christmas break! ;)

Doggiehower,

The REF 5SE is an amazing piece. It's worth the wait. I waited over three months for my unit. I have 40 hours on the unit now and it's sounding better everyday. Only another 560 hours of break in to go.

Sfstereo, did you buy your SE as is from the factory, or the upgrade?