Volume level of ARC Ref 5 seems very high

Got the Rothwells a couple of days ago in the mail but I was out of town so only just got around to testing it.

I am using it in between the CDP and the Ref5SE but it can also be used between preamp and power amp. The reason I am using it this way is because I only have 3 inputs:
the XDS1 SACD where I find the gain too high
the Bel Canto Phono3 and Sumiko Blackbird where the gain is not an issue
the AVR pre out (PROC input) where the gain is a non issue.

Using it between the pre and power would require me to recalibrate my AVR front L/R levels as well as some adjustment on my subwoofer S1 Integrator box so I took the easy way out.

The unit I got is the default 10dB attenuation. I have to say it does work remarkably well.

It was pretty late when I started listening but I could dial the Ref5SE to about 35-40 without disturbing the missus in the next room too much. This is the usual level I listen to but of course, it is much louder without the Rothwells.

At this level, the SPL is comparable to listening at around 25-30 in the past but at those settings on the ARC, I wasn't getting this level of dynamics and punch that I am getting with the Rothwells. There is a lot more detail and I am able to discern more of the background instruments. In the past, I might be able to get more of the dynamics at a higher volume, but I think the loudness (which with compression on some recordings) makes it hard to listen for extended periods.

I have not encountered any downsides at the moment.

Pretty impressed for what is a small price to pay for them vs the ARC.

Hi Doggiehowser. Heard from Kal at ARC. Kal told me that ARC will schedule the SE upgrade for my Ref 5 sometime next month. I know you have the Ref 5 SE. I recall that you raved about the SE upgrade over the original version of the Ref 5. Are you still "luvin" it? Still think it's worth the bucks?? Thanks.

Still loving it :)

Running it in was a bit painful. It was great out of the box. Then not. Then worse. Then eureka :)

Thanks Doggie . . . please remind me. Did you do the SE upgrade on your "old" Ref 5, or just buy the Ref 5 SE new? If the former, then I appreciate the heads up re expectations. If the later, I wonder out loud whether I will get any break-in "benefit" because the rest of my Ref 5's innards are well broken-in by now.

I live outside the US so my dealer got me a new unit and handled the upgrade on his own.