hush hush Audio Research REF5 pre amp coming!!!!
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This comes as no surprise. I'm expecting a dual-mono unit, similar to the Krell Evo.
it will not be dual mono...single chasis i say
Oz,
You say right. It will be a single chassis unit, and I'm willing to bet it'll be terrific.
JV (just back from Japan)
Hi John -
I am sure the Ref 5 will be reviewed in TAS soon after it comes out, and it will be great to hear your thoughts on how this raises the bar which I am sure it will.
But for us audiophiles who cannot afford this piece, can you tell me when we can expect reviews on the new SP17 or LS17, VS60, VS115, VSI60 from ARC. They have been out for a while now and there has been zero coverage on these entry level pieces.
Love the magazine, but I think there is an audience that would love to hear how these components stack up against previous offerings from ARC as well as the competition.
Thanks!
Lou.
Hi John -
I am sure the Ref 5 will be reviewed in TAS soon after it comes out, and it will be great to hear your thoughts on how this raises the bar which I am sure it will.
But for us audiophiles who cannot afford this piece, can you tell me when we can expect reviews on the new SP17 or LS17, VS60, VS115, VSI60 from ARC. They have been out for a while now and there has been zero coverage on these entry level pieces.
Love the magazine, but I think there is an audience that would love to hear how these components stack up against previous offerings from ARC as well as the competition.
Thanks!
Lou.
If you were just in Japan did you get a chance to hear any of the Shindo stuff? I'm curious about this company.
Carey
I just called ARC and they said availability at US dealers will be in July. I didn't ask price so I'd appreciate learning the retail price if you know it. I'm guessing 12K. Hopefully they'll change the darn remote. (Too many times hitting the balance instead of volume on the Ref 3 remote- guess I am "remote challenged". It would be nice if the volume was a vertical control whereas balance remained horizontal).
I believe $12k is correct--or thereabouts. Like Maggie and VTL, ARC has always priced quite fairly.
I suppose there's no upgrade path from the Ref-3 ... ?
unfortunately zeb
completely new design and therefore no path for upgrade as far as i know...
as for the price its going to retail for USD 11,995....
Oz is correct.
It will be interesting to see and hear, I'm sure.
I keep checking arcdb.ws for info on the '5, but haven't seen anything yet. Someone must know, because there are and have been quite a few Ref 3's on audiogon.
its official with a letter to dealers..and i have the chance to speak to terry from arc in munich hifi show...its confirmed...they shipped the last 2 dozen ref3s with a limited edition badge and with a few tweaks...ref5 is coming at the end of this month to dealers..i have place my order for mine this week...cant wait..
I get that there isno upgrade path (as per comment above on an earlier post), but does anyone know if the form factor and added functionality of the Ref 5 is similar or different from Ref 3 (i.e., is there continuity in the design similar to CD8 vs CD7)?
As I understand it, the Ref 5 uses the same tube complement as the Ref 3 but in an entirely different circuit that is arrayed on one large horizontal board as ooposed to the three vertical board of the Ref 3. I'm also told that the Ref 5 has a much larger power supply, different parts, and a bigger chassis than the Ref 3. Most importantly, the Ref 5 has substantially lower noise (and slightly higher gain) than the Ref 3. The Ref 5 is a full 3dB quieter than the Ref 3! Its noise is rated at -109dB (below 2V RMS output)—this astonishing performance from a pure-Class-A triode, no feedback, all-tube circuit! Apparently, Bill Johnson started working on the Ref 5 four-and-a-half years ago (right after the introduction of the Ref 3), so it's been "in the works" a long time. I can't wait to hear it.
I have ordered mine and cant wait to hear it either...if its better than ref3..no more words needed
I was in the process of upgrading my ref 300 mk ll 's to ref 610 t's when I saw the reports on the new ref 5 .
Could that mean that a replacement for the 610 t's is also scheduled in the near future ???
I will definityly be looking seriously at upgrading the ref 3 to a 5 !
Conrad, if you end up wanting to sell your Ref 300 MKI amp, give me a call. Thanks, David. 832-754-6692 (Housun,TX)
I was in the process of upgrading my ref 300 mk ll 's to ref 610 t's when I saw the reports on the new ref 5 .
Could that mean that a replacement for the 610 t's is also scheduled in the near future ???
I will definityly be looking seriously at upgrading the ref 3 to a 5 !
I was in the process of upgrading my ref 300 mk ll 's to ref 610 t's when I saw the reports on the new ref 5 .
Could that mean that a replacement for the 610 t's is also scheduled in the near future ???
I will definityly be looking seriously at upgrading the ref 3 to a 5 !
I was in the process of upgrading my ref 300 mk ll 's to ref 610 t's when I saw the reports on the new ref 5 .
Could that mean that a replacement for the 610 t's is also scheduled in the near future ???
I will definityly be looking seriously at upgrading the ref 3 to a 5 !
A power supply that is "much larger" than the Ref 3! Wow. If I remember correctly, the Ref 3 preamp had a power supply that was actually larger than some of their amps! That must be one "honkin" power supply. Rave on William Zane, rave on!
Does anyone know if there is a new amp to replace the Ref 110 coming out as well?
Haven't heard about new amps.
Did you ever get a listen to the Ref 5?
Carey
JV,
In another post, I asked about experiences folks have had tube rolling with ARC reference gear, especially as it relates to different 6550 output tubes (I have the Ref 110, along with Ref 3 and CD7). Do you have any recommendations along these lines and are there any issues one ought to watch out for when it comes to tube rolling with ARC gear (i.e., voided warranties or issues relating to ARC gear not being self-biasing, etc...)? Thanks for your help in this matter.
At least nowadays, I don't think ARC is particularly pro-tube-rolling. However, in the old days select GE 6550s were the pentodes of choice with ARC amps.
Thx JV. Appreciate the input. fyi, i called ARC, and while you are correct in that they do not encourage tube rolling, they did say that doing so would not void the warranty on their products. Thx again.
FYI, I will be getting the new ARC Reference 2 phonostage on Wednesday. I can't wait!
U r lucky Jonathan...Mine is in the customs waiting to be cleared...but the trouble is i will have to ship back my transparent interconnects before i can listen to ref2 phono...cant wait to hear your comments once you hear the beast..
I'll blog about it as soon as I can.
Jonathan-
Any preliminary thoughts on the Reference Phono??? Anxious to hear (from you and it!)
Tom
Could this mean that there is a replacement / upgrade to the 610 t's in the near future as well ??
I see that the ref 5 is now shown on ARCDB ....................
Some pictures exposed a few days ago (scroll down the link)?:
http://www.hififorum.nu/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=54678&whichpage=33
I scanned the blogs on this site and stumbled on the specification quote by jonathan valin that the ref 5 is much quieter, a full 3 db quieter than the ref 3................which is barely detectable........under the best if circumstances....if you were to stare at a type 1 sound level meter for hours the level would vary by 10 to 20 dB, even at high frequencies...am I missing something or is the specification what counts?
Larry,
i think what that comment translates into is not so much a case of being able to measure sound pressure levels ....but more a case of presenting a blacker/quieter background and thus translating into more details and transparency with regard to listening. So yes! it is more an issue of specs.