05-16-2018 10:48amHi,This from a gentleman who just three years ago got on this Board and asked for opinions as to the relative SQ of the GS150 vs.the Ref 150SE (they are functionally identical) and asking how hard it is to bias the Ref 150SE (about as hard as removing a bunch of screws to get the top off and then using a Fluke). Forgive me if I don't find you very authoritative about ARC gear. I've owned ARC gear for over a dozen years. The Ref 6 is the newer design but there is no getting around the fact that the Ref 10's separate power supply is going to provide sonic benefits by isolating the transformers from the sensitive output circuits. So yes, one should expect that a used Ref 10 if in good shape is going to sound slightly more detailed and relaxed than a Ref 6 but the Ref 6 is among the very top preamps existing on this planet. Mikey Fremer may not be perfect but he does have good ears and read his review of the Ref 6. It's a rave in every regard. Then audition one. The Ref 6 takes 400 hours for it's huge amount of capacitors, many of them quite large for a preamp, to burn-in. It is also extremely sensitive to cabling. I never found it "aggressive on top" but using Cardas Clear Beyond between my Ref6 and Ref 150SE made a huge positive difference over many other XLR's I tried. You can't go wrong either way. I would also recommend that anyone spending the price of admission for either invest in a good equipment rack. I upgraded from a typical mdf and rebar rack to a Symposium Osiris Ultimate and it was (IMO naturally) money well-spent.
If you could get a demo of the Ref 6 to make sure it’s for you, then that’s a different story. Friends have owned the Ref 6, in some cases twice, and moved on. I had a Ref 6 and I personally was not happy with it. I now own a Ref 10 and can not believe how amazing it sounds. The Ref 10 sounds so much more relaxed, smooth, has a wonderful pace, rhythm and timing that I never had from the Ref 6. The Ref 6 can be impressive at first but gets tiring over time when you realize the bit of aggressiveness on top.
So, a used Ref 10 in good/great shape over a brand spanking new Ref 6.
ARC Ref 6 and Ref 10 opinions , talk, stories, buying options and opinions
Just for fun question. One of my thoughts from all you audophiles who own the Ref 6 or Ref 10 or anything below would like to know if you had a choice to buy a brand new Ref 6 or a used Ref 10 which would you go with. And i would love to hear your opinions on both of these preamps.