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ARC Ref 5se VS ARC Ref 6

Ok i need some help and opinions. I just auditioned at my home the ARC Ref 6. All i can say is WOW. !!!!!!!!! I was truly blown away with the sound. Everything is truly there . To me there are no short comings. Ok let me start off by saying that originally i was looking for a used ARC Ref 3. Then i started reading on some forums and on here that the 5 was very close to the 3 and the 5se was truly a great sounding unit and upgrade from the 3. I really wanted to audition the 5se at my home but unfortunately he just sold his demo and only had the 6. I really cant afford the 6 right now brand new But after hearing the 6 with my system im wondering if i purchase a 5se would i be disapointed after hearing the 6. Like the 3 vs the 5se i read it was a very big difference , Is the 6 a really big difference in sound ? Should i wait for a used 6? I know that i have read great reviews on the 5se. I just wish i could of heard the 5se also in my system to compare / decide for my self. Any help would be very much appreciated . 
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jafant
18,846 posts
 
tattoedtrackman
You do own a killer system!  Happy Listening!
limniscate
241 posts
 
I had both in my system at one point. The Ref6 is noticeably better. 
jonaiken
53 posts
 
I started my ARC journey with the Ref 5SE followed by the Ref 6 and now the Ref 10.  The Ref 6 is without a doubt the Best Buy of the three - the change from Ref 6 over the 5SE was a significant improvement, while the Ref 10 provides more of what the Ref 6 does well but the change wasn’t as significant as moving up to the Ref 6 from the Ref 5SE.  Get a Ref 6 and replace the stock Sovtek Tubes with Reflectors (6H30P-DR) and Winged C SED 6550C’s and you will be close to a stock Ref 10
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,080 posts
 
@jonaiken,

May I know where did you resource your 6H30P-DR from? There are so I completely agree with you on replacing the stock tubes. So far I replaced the stock 6550C in Ref 6 with Winged C SED 6550C and very pleased with the upgrade. The soundstage now bit more relaxed without the bloated bass I experienced with stock 6550WE. 
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
Where does one get Winged SED 6550 C tubes?  I thought the Russian factory burned down many years ago and good quality tubes are hard to come by.  I have read that the new variant 6550 is not as good as the original Winged C.
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