ARC Galileo GSPre vs ARC Reference 5 SE ? ....

I've heard the Ref5 SE and loved it. A friend is head over heels with his Galileo gear and swears that it beats his previous Reference gear. As more gear gets out in the wild, we'll have a better handle on the sound. Exciting times.

Bruce,

Check out this update an ARC and KT-150's. You have your answer.

http://audioshark.org/audio-research-corporation-arc-36/arc-amps-kt150s-6541.html#post110085

Trust the source. I've seen the document from ARC myself. They are blessing the KT-150 but really want you to buy from them at some point. I have it on great authority that Kevin Deal - Upscale Audio is one of the better (best) places to order your tubes from. Go for it!

Listen to Wolf_garcia. A man who knows what he's talking about.

ALL manufacturers charge more for THEIR tubes. That is NOT the point. Time is money and they all charge for their time and testing. I bet your KT-120's cost more from ARC too. Time marches on and improvements happen everywhere. There's no conspiracy.

I understand. The dust will eventually settle. I am sure you will get better performance for just the cost of the tube upgrade. I am sure ARC will publicly bless the amps. I am sure they are just being conservative.

My Conrad Johnson ART monos cost almost $2K to retube from CJ with KT-120's. My CJ ARTsa stereo amp costs about $1K for a retube. Cut those prices in half from other vendors. I was told flat out no for KT-150's in my amps and I don't know anyone who is using or willing to try KT-150's in these amps, unlike many users using KT-150's in ARC amps.

Just have fun!

Gpgr4blu,

Thank you for that. Makes perfect sense.

BTW, I love the "sotto voce" comment. :)

A friend of mine just received his GSpre. I know it's probably too soon for him to say definitely but he thinks it's as good or better than the REF 5se but the REF 10 still beats both.

Hahahahahahahahhaha.