Audio Research Corp Ref 5 SE

Jtimothya, fair comment. I have a feeling that RP2 units will start to hit the market after the RP2 SE is released. Cal told me that the Ref 5 is being discontinued and being replaced by the SE. I surmise the same with the RP2. Right now, the delta between the PH7 and RP2 is still pretty wide. Hopefully, the gap will close a bit when the SE hits the market.

Meanwhile, in Brazil we have no deadline for delivery of 5 Ref SE, much less upgrade. I have the Ref 5, and opting for Ref 5 SE upgrade, I have a doubt, the front panel of the new model has the "SE" logo?

Edison,

The bottom right corner of the face plate says "REFERENCE 5SE high definition"

Just got mine today!

Running it in now. I think they also changed one of the transformers.

http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/doggiehowser/21bbd5e1.jpg

http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/doggiehowser/c78f57ce.jpg

Doggiehowser, did you get the upgrade of the Ref 5 or is this a new "out of the box" unit? Did you have the chance to A/B the Ref 5 to the SE?

I am unsure about getting my Ref 5 upgraded. I'm concerned the SE may be way out of balance with the rest of my system. Alternatively, if I was to drop the bucks of an SE upgrdae (whatever it is) into my system, I might do better waiting to change out my PH-7.

Just not sure?? Also not sure how long ARC will do the SE upgrade. Maybe for the indefinte future???

I'm standing pat on my amp. It's too close to the Ref 110 to change it out. If I change out the amp, it only makes sense to wait for Ref 150s to hit the pre-owned market. At this point, IMO, digital "redbook" CD (actual discs) is generally just fair, so I'm not motivated to change out my CD-7 CDP. Think I'd rather get a DAC 8 instead.

Any thoughts??

BTW, my system description is listed on A'gon.