The New Audio Research Reference 6

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With the Ref 5SE at $13k, I wonder what the Ref6 is going to come in at?
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This new look is going to have to grow on me.
I love the look of the toggle switches of old also,
but to me, the Ref 5SE was the best looking preamp ARC ever made.

A close second is the very rare LS10

Audio Research LS10
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Mofi, the LS10 had a Jekyll-Hyde personality. When it was
good, it was one of the best preamps I'd ever heard. But it
was sooo unpredictable, on some recordings there would be so
many missing instruments and it drove me crazy. On some
recordings, it would leave out the background singers. I
got rid of it and got the Ref2 Mk2...which was an awesome
preamp. However, I could not get the LS10 out of my mind,
so I bought it again two years later. Still the same old
Jeckyll-Hyde act. I got rid of it again and got the Ref3
and have been in nirvana ever since.

But, since the LS10 was sooo good when it was good, I've
been wondering if ARC has improved on their solid state
preamp technology in the nearly 20 years since the LS10. If
so, I'd jump on one of them in a heartbeat. I never see
anything on the 'Gon about ARC solid state preamps. It
seems only the tube preamps get all the discussion. On its
best days, the LS10 was something special. It had the
blackest background I'd ever heard..it was almost scary.
Image, layering and soundstage was mind-boggling.

I think I'll buy one again and stash it if one ever appears
for sale here again.
They NEVER show up for sale here.
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Davey, your quote is hilarious!

But, I'm a huge Audio Research fan. I did purchase a Ref3 when it was new, and I'm glad I did. At $10k, I still think it was a bargain and I still enjoy it immensely 9 years later. At $14k, I cannot afford a new Ref6...but I do believe I will be able to move up to the Ref5-SE when those prices inevitably come down as the deeper pockets unload and move up to the Ref6.
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Taters, if the 5-SE goes for $7,500...that would work for me. I have at least $5k of equity in my Ref3. $2500 to move up to the 5-SE would seem reasonable to me.
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It looks to me as if Whole Foods had a load of sour grapes to get rid of.

LOL! ..it happens here on the 'Gon every time Audio Research has an upgrade on their reference level products.
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...a static no innovation or incremental improvement company is probably dead.

BlackBerry owned the smartphone segment...rested on their laurels and didn't innovate. Their market share plummeted.
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The Ref Phono 2SE came out the same time as the Ref 5SE linestange in 2011.

If ARC follows form, a new Reference Phono 3 should be out very soon.
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