ARC Ref 5se inferior to LS28?

I've often heard that so&so newer LS series is as good as, nearly as good as, or better than Refx (older).

It could be self-serving dealer-speak (discussed in the novel 1984) but it could possibly also be that continued R&D improved the breed.

You'll have to listen yourself and match levels carefully too.

why was the LS25mk2 your least favorite preamp??

it does have a Mode switch BTW

I agree with minorl.   Besides Vovlo, Magneplanar (ARCs friends, neighbors, and sometimes collaborators) are very "slow" to upgrade or bring out new models.  Maggie also blind tests every modification and does not introduce anything until it passes those tests with some significant improvement.

I don't know if ARC uses blind testing or not, but they do a listening test on each individual unit before it leaves the factory.

I'd also modify the post above to read: "analog parts don't usually get cheaper over time"

"

There are not a few people that will buy something that costs 50K who would not touch exact same  item were it priced at 25K

Do you have anything that supports this claim?"

I do.  There are many examples but the most famous is the price of BMWs during the 1980s.  In the 1970s and earlier they used ot cost about the same as a Buick; but sales actually increased greatly as prices rose steeply.

I forget what this phenomenon is called ("Inverse something or other") but the BMW example is frequently cited in econ texts.

You could also read Veblin's Theory of the Leisure Class

shuberto - that is silly and shows you don't understand the scientific method

cleeds - I agree there are more potentially confounding variables - there usually are in economics, and that is why it is not a science

No one had addressed the original question - a sonic comparison of the 5SE and the 28.

I have not heard them in a comparison test.  What I do hear sometimes is that "the new LS-xx" sounds better than than the Ref-y froma zz years ago.  And not just from dealers either.

I think the only way to answer this is by direct comparison using a blind test on top quality source material.

I am just going to be happy with my LS25 Mk II (at least for a while) 

Manepan is a speaker manufacturer, blind tests its products and will claim that their new current lineup is slightly or signficantly superior to their older, discontinued lineup, and they have been in business a very long time.

They will use an "i" for an incremental upgrade and change the digit for a bigger upgrade.  They will ALSO tell you (as Wendell told me) "maybe you just want to keep your old ones).  They are a Minn. firm, located near ARC.
ARC seems similar to me (despite being sold a few years ago).

Tube tech. has not changed a lot but ARC does change to different circuits and different models of tubes.

You can compare the added features of ARC products at the 3rd party web site that tracks all their products - things like relays to reduce signal paths, thicker case material in places to reduce resonance (and changing from Al tops to poly-carbonate), better tube and component matching, etc. etc. all could improve SQ.  Tube hour meters can help yo achieve better SQ too.

Do a real listening test (blind) to see if you want the latest and greatest.

Don't forget - they service everything they EVER made - dos that have value to you?  Only Bryston has a better warranty/service policy AFAIK.