Audio research reference 10 tube replacement

At 12 hours a day, the 6550 tubes in the power supply will need to be replaced at around 5 months. (2,000 hours.) The remaining tubes (6H30) will last about twice as long.

Good luck in buying new Russian 6H30 tubes!

My experience has been, confirmed by my dealer / friend that, it depends. It depends on how much stress you put on them. For instance, if you turn on stuff and just have it idling 10,000 or more hours are not uncommon. I assume you have  your REF 10 on for background music… it would not surprise me if 5,000 or much more. 
 

I have all Audio Research Ref equipment. I never changed the tubes in my REF 5SE over five years before trading it in… unfortunately I don’t remember how many hours it had. Nothing like 12 hours a day.

I would order a set of replacements… then you will not have to worry until you know (when you have to use them).

Many years since ref 10 is debut, and I just expect to have ref 11 coming soon.

Audio research  power amplifier is far better than its preamplifier, and due to 6h30 in the preamplifier,it becomes a  hard job, cause 6h30 is a strong horse and I am wondering who can ride it well.

I expect they change the drive tube in the ref 11 and then I will definitely go for it.

Reference 11 is a pipe dream it will never happen.

Reference 6SE upgrade will likely have a second chassis and Will be the new ref 10.  Unfortunately the upgrade won't happen for years as the 6SE upgrade really hurt customer relations, it was a mess 4 everybody.  They left the people hanging who bought reference six, how miserable

I'm hearing ref 10 is a dinosaur and not really a good buy at this point.

One way or another, they must move on with the ref 10, as it  has 6 years since debut.

Reference 6SE upgrade will likely have a second chassis and Will be the new ref 10. Unfortunately the upgrade won’t happen for years as the 6SE upgrade really hurt customer relations, it was a mess 4 everybody. They left the people hanging who bought reference six, how miserable

That’s the first I’ve heard about mass discontent over the 6SE release. The 6 still performs exceptionally, and holds value well. ARC has resolved the plastic remote complaints with a sleek new metal one. And they’re becoming much more consumer friendly with generous trade-in upgrade allowances, and discounted CPO (certified pre-owned) and FRU (factory refurbished) offerings. I’ve gotten a CPO and an FRU myself, and they’re fantastic - giving a real "new in box" experience, minus the long burn-in heartache. I’ve heard the backlog for SE upgrades is huge, but that’s more a sign of a hugely successful product (both predecessor and successor) than anything.

Good luck in buying new Russian 6H30 tubes!

Just bought a spare set from Upscale Audio last night; shipped today. They’re still available right now, but certain grades/options are out of stock and there’s no telling how future restocks will go. I’m probably set for at least 10 years at this point lol.

At 12 hours a day, the 6550 tubes in the power supply will need to be replaced at around 5 months. (2,000 hours.) The remaining tubes (6H30) will last about twice as long.

Is anyone really leaving these on 12 hours a day, every day? 😮

It appears maintenance costs Of 6SE r quite unfavorable.  If you plan on using it a lot for stereo and home theater listening and including electricity costs it may reach as high as $100 a month and that's a lot.

I don't think people really factor in electricity costs although at least standby is very minimal but when active it's close to 150 watts it adds up.

So much for serving a planet which I'm not too optimistic about decreased carbon. The trend is extremely unfavorable kind of sad

I am not sure of this Reference 6SE issue. I owned a 5SE and upgraded to the 6SE a bought a year ago. I was offended by the plastic remote and  immediately the new owner responded with an explanation and a promise a new metal remote was in the works and I would receive one, they are now shipping with all 6SE. This is a world class preamp, the sound is incredible… after 50 years of high end audio, a really satisfying preamp to own.

Yes I can’t believe that remote. My Sony dvd remote is built better. What were they thinking. Money I’m sure. Big mistake on their part. So how much is the new remote if you want to buy one for your Ref 6SE?  Anyone know?

The remote problem came about when the remote manufacturer, with little notice stopped manufacturing them. Trent the new owner of ARC immediately went in search of a new manufacturer. This does not happen over night.

I believe new remote is free for ARC 6SE owners, and comes with new units. I think they are still catching up… now shipping new units with the new metal remote. Current owners soon.