Audio Research Reference 250 capacitor issue

Just sent an e mail to Kal at ARC. I own a Ref 5 SE pre and Ref 150 amp. Both amps have white Teflon caps. His answer may be relevant to the OP's Qs.

Raymonda, first ... let's see what Kal comes back with. Second, there are 4 caps in each of my Ref 5 SE pre and Ref 150 amp. If each cap costs $300, that's $1200.

Been passing messages with Kal. I asked some follow up Qs that pose the same Qs as posed above. I'll report back.

Btw, Kal mentioned that the G Series should hit the stores soon. He sent me a spec sheet on G Serie gear. The G-150 has almost identical specs to the Ref 150, e.g., wpc, power supply, etc. The wpc spec was a little higher than the Ref 150, but I attribute that to the KT-150 tube.

Kal said the KT-150 are still not approved for the current Ref line. I think this is about marketing.

Gents, I hope I do not get a corroborating report from Kal at ARC. I would be .... extremely disappointed.

Kal has been out on vacation. Let's see what he has to say.

Here's an excerpt from some Qs and As between Kal and me re the Teflon caps. Kal's responses are in quotes.

Thanks Kal and welcome back. Gotta a couple of follow up Qs re white Teflon caps.

1. If the teflons are working, do they sound as good as the replacement gold caps? "YES"

2. How would I know if the white teflons are NOT working. Would there be some sound degradation or would it be like an “on and off switch” … the teflons work … or they do not work?? IOW, If defective, would I ... lose a channel. "You would not be able to bias the output tubes."

That's it. Just checked the bias on my Ref 150's KT-120s. All seems ok, so far.

*****

Btw, anyone experience similar issues with the Teflon caps in the Ref 5 SE or Ref Phono 2 SE??

Gpgr4blu ... My plan is to stick too. Will need a retube in my Ref 150 in a couple of months. There's an authorized ARC tech who lives near my house. I may have him do the retube of my amp and to bias the tubes. At the same time, I'll ask him to check the coupling caps.

Brill ... please clarify. Did ARC simply fold on the white Teflon cap issue and replace for no charge the white caps for the new gold foil caps?? No questions asked??

ARC upgraded my Ref 5 to the SE version in 2013 and used the white Teflon caps. By now the Teflon caps are fully broken in. I think the SE version sounds better than the old Ref 5, but how can one tell if the Teflon caps sound dull and lifeless ... as compared to what???