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Audio Research REF 3 and REF 5 Tweaks

Hi,
I was wondering what tweaks have been used successfully with these two preamps? I'm thinking specifically of footers, weights, tube dampers, powercords, etc. I haven't considered tube rolling as from what I've read, the tubes ARC recommends are probably overall the best.

I've tried several products including Vibrapods/Vibracones, and various isolation products from Herbies on my REF 3 with mixed results. (I keep going back to stock.) So far the best tweak has been to purchase and place Herbies Ultrasonic Tube dampers on the two power tubes, the 6550 and the 6h30, in the powersupply. Strangely ARC does not include dampers for these two tubes but the addition of Herbies tube dampers really cleans things up.
I use Solidsteal shelving which have been damped with sand.
So what have you all tried that you think would be a worth whild audition?
Thanks in advance,
Sgr
sgr

Showing 2 responses by folkfreak

folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
Covers on, covers off ... relatively minor differences and if you’ve not got a dedicated space with a guarantee of no one poking their fingers in then the cover is mandatory

On the two box models I’ve found that removing the cover on the signal tube section helps, likely the signal tubes are more sensitive to the extra vibration the cover might pick up and transmit

However on my one box Ref 2SE phono I find it works better with the cover on -- as others have observed this cover does tend to bow around the large and hot 6550 tube, not a great design

But while we’re talking tweaks you will get a much bigger impact from using better footers under your Ref series pieces -- the problem is that there’s not much real estate under the amp as the under plexi cover is pretty close to the front plate and stands proud. Putting feet under the plexi sounds awful - you need to anchor to the metal case that surrounds it. I get good results from Marigo Mystery feet but they need very careful placement -- part on the metal casework and the back of the footer (with a small attached boss) touching the plexi. Frankly once you get it right the effect of the feet is profound -- much more impact then fiddling with the top plates or the display
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
Oh and one other surprising realization.  Preventive tube changing is a great idea. I’d got about 2000 hours on my set of 6h30s in my Ref 40 but had an increasing sense that there was something a little off in the sound. A bit of tightness perhaps.  I was also suffering from odd (once every 3-4 sessions) channel drop outs. ARC say the amp should be good for 4000 hours on a set of tubes

As a new set of cryod tubes from Kevin Deal are not that expansive I decided to go for it - wow wish I’d done this sooner! It’s like a whole new amp.  Even at 20 hours in the sound is so much crisper and more open. I’d recommend all owners plan on swapping out every 1000-1500 hours or so, I think you can go longer on the power supply tubes

i half suspect that power up down may be as much an issue as absolute hours.  I tend to listen for shorter (1-2 hour) sessions so put the tubes through a lot of on and off cycles. With my Ref 2SE phono I needed to change at 500 hours. Anyway certainly if you listen for shorter times as I do don’t expect to get maximum tube life
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