I have had my SP-15 for about 10 years now. I sent it in to ARC in 2004 due to a bad umbilical cord and they refurbished it while it was there by replacing all of the electrolytic caps in the power supply. About a year and a half ago, I bought some NOS tubes for the phono section. The difference in sound blew me away. I am still enjoying my vinyl as if new with these tubes. After my SP-15 has been on for about an hour, I can sit down and enjoy the music, but the music gets more fluid (best way I can describe it) after it has been on for 8+ hours. I have listened to the REF 5 with the REF ARC amps on a different system, so a bit out of context. Very nice sound, but I don't feel like I am missing anything. Good thing, or else I wouldn't be able to sleep until I found a way to aquire the REF 5. As for remote; that's what the kids are for...
