Ref5 upgrade option possibly being offered in near future by ARC

[Orb]

I noticed this mentioned on another thread and my dealer confirmed the same when he mentioned this to me on Friday while dropping off my Ref5.
No idea of what the upgrade will actually be and the cost, but it seems it relates to some aspects they can implement from the Anniverary model.

Will be interesting to hear what the difference will be once it is available.
Cheers
Orb

 

[microstrip]

I noticed this mentioned on another thread and my dealer confirmed the same when he mentioned this to me on Friday while dropping off my Ref5.
No idea of what the upgrade will actually be and the cost, but it seems it relates to some aspects they can implement from the Anniverary model.

Will be interesting to hear what the difference will be once it is available.
Cheers
Orb

Looking at both preamplifiers inside I could think immediately about the new capacitors developed for the Anniversary - they use them in the REF150.

Quoting the REF150 power amplifier page from the ARC site:

"All-new interstage coupling capacitors using technology and materials first incorporated in our Anniversary Edition preamplifier effortlessly link input stage to output stage, which is powered by two matched quads of Russian KT120 output tubes driven by 6H30 twin triodes. "

And, yes, the REF150 is a fantastic amplifier. Unhappily it is not powerful enough for my Soundlabs ...

 

[Steve Williams]

I noticed this mentioned on another thread and my dealer confirmed the same when he mentioned this to me on Friday while dropping off my Ref5.
No idea of what the upgrade will actually be and the cost, but it seems it relates to some aspects they can implement from the Anniverary model.

Will be interesting to hear what the difference will be once it is available.
Cheers
Orb

ARC is known for their upgrades

 

[MylesBAstor]

ARC is known for their upgrades

Waiting for the "G" version???

 

[racewong]

I noticed this mentioned on another thread and my dealer confirmed the same when he mentioned this to me on Friday while dropping off my Ref5.
No idea of what the upgrade will actually be and the cost, but it seems it relates to some aspects they can implement from the Anniverary model.

Will be interesting to hear what the difference will be once it is available.
Cheers
Orb

Hi Orb, Any update?
As I'm ref 5 user in Hong Kong, I also want to know the performance after upgraded. ^^

 

[Orb]

I have not followed up on this as I assume Audio Research will do an announcement, or our local distributor.
I am not expecting this though until late spring at earliest, maybe someone has some accurate timelines they can share though.
Like you I cannot wait
Cheers
Orb

 

[dafos]

Jonathan valin has actually posted his impressions on a ref phono 2 SE version, and I know from the local dealer that a ref 5 SE is already available. The good news is there is an upgrade path costing 1k for these models.

 

[Orb]

Good catch on the ref phono SE.
Looking down to the comments JV says:

ARC tells me that it will begin taking "appointments" for upgrading the Ref Phono 2 to Ref Phono 2SE status (and Ref 5 to Ref 5SE status) in January 2012. (I'm sure there will be an official ARC announcement to this effect at or before the turn of the year.
Obviously, ARC can't retrofit all Ref Phono 2s and Ref 5s at once--thus the "appointment" scheduling.
Be patient; I'm sure everyone will be served in due time.)

Cheers
Orb

 

[racewong]

I have not followed up on this as I assume Audio Research will do an announcement, or our local distributor.
I am not expecting this though until late spring at earliest, maybe someone has some accurate timelines they can share though.
Like you I cannot wait
Cheers
Orb

Thanks Orb, I will ask the Hong Kong dealer for any news update.

 

[racewong]

1K in USD?

In Hong Kong $$, it maybe around HKD 8K.

 

[Orb]

Will be interesting to see the price once it is available.
Cheers
Orb

 

[rblnr]

Spoke to ARC yesterday, looks like end of Jan is when work will be done -- there will be a list as has been said and they want to do all units in a block of time as much as possible. There will be a new faceplate with the silver buttons on more recent ARC products and a larger power supply among other things.

 

[CKKeung]

This fellow ARC user 'New Guy' mentions in another forum that he has got his Ref5SE which contains a new PSU section, a new face plate & two of the big capacitors that are used in ARC40 preamp.
http://www.audioaficionado.org/audio-research/11461-my-ref-phono-2-now-soon-outdated-4.html
It's a steal if the upgrade cost is just US$1k!

 

[LL21]

While i personally am less fussed about aesthetics when it comes to preamps/amps, it is nice...and if you are getting that plus new PSU and new capacitors...and if these result in far greater quality sound...that does sound like a steal! Nice!

 

[rblnr]

Don't think that price is confirmed yet, but the guy I spoke to did say that all new Ref 5s being built are SE. He said, unsurprisingly, that it takes you much closer to the sound of the 40.

 

[wizard]

Reference 5 SE

 

[microstrip]

Thanks Wizard,

Comparing these photos with a standard REF5 of an anxious friend, it seems that the upgrade will be simple to carry, if you keep the old button scheme. The output capacitors are changed, and a new lateral board is added with some more capacitors and inductors that connect in parallel with the main supply bank using two wires. ARC already had a preamplfier that added had a board using this type of fixing - the LS2 that could be upgraded to LS2b status adding an extra board in this position. I remember watching our distributor technician fitting it to my preamplfier - some extra holes had to be drilled to fix the the board using spacers.

Happily the main PCB is the same, allowing an upgrade.

 

[Orb]

Thanks for the picture Wizard,
and thanks for the headsup Micro on what looks different.
I will ask Absolute Sounds in New Year about the upgrade for my Ref5.
Cheers
Orb

 

[LL21]

Thanks for the picture Wizard,
and thanks for the headsup Micro on what looks different.
I will ask Absolute Sounds in New Year about the upgrade for my Ref5.
Cheers
Orb

Happy Holidays Orb! Pls let us know how it goes with upgrade! I bet you will find it worthwhile. I have not been disappointed yet when hearing (or hearing about) PSU, capacitor upgrades...particularly for that level of cost (given that it is from the manufacturer directly and hence inclusive of manufacturer warranty, etc).

 

[marty]

Just as FYi. I found a truly remarkable Ref 5 upgrade a while ago. Its called a VTL 7.5 III. Sorry folks, a serious comparison favors the VTL quite decidedly although let's be honest, but are quite excellent. In my case, the ability to drive a long cable run to the amps may have been the key parameter favoring the VTL 7.5 III, whose SS output state seems suited to the task. I also love the idea of using a single pair of 12AU7s to modify the sound of my system to find the best sonic match. Telefunkens, Mullards and Phillips offer very attractive and easily interchangable options in the VTL 7.5. It's truly a masterpiece.