Audio Research REF 6 Preamp

[La Dolce Vita]

In December I heard the ARC Ref 6 in a friend's system. He had it paired with a Hegel H30 and Revel Salon 2's. I concur with Ken and had the same general impression. Hope this helps


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[bzr]

"Are you going to be able to try it in your system? that will be the true test."

Hi XV-1,

No plans to try one in my system at this time.

Best,
Ken

I think I know why...

[Alpinist]

I think I know why...

Kev,

Because I have Soul?

Ken

[bzr]

Kev,

Because I have Soul?

Ken

Ha! Great comeback!!

[Rscotth]

[bzr]

That looks absolutely stunning!

[Alpinist]

The ARC REF 6 is a tremendous preamp. It replaced an ARC REF 5SE in a system I'm very familiar with. While the REF 5SE produced outstanding sound, replacing it with the REF 6 brought the system to an entirely different/higher level, in my opinion. More dimension, better dynamics and lower noise floor. I've not auditioned the REF 10 yet but I would bet the REF 6 gets you in the ballpark. Really amazing.

Ken

[Dpod4]

I hook mine up this weekend along with some other new gear. Just spent the week in Bend listening to my second system with a new SRA Ohio class stand under my amg v12 table.

[jdandy]

Scott.......That Ref 6 is crying for a pair of these.

[bzr]

Dan, I hope Mike doesn't see this...

[Ali]

hi, Is there any review of REF6 out yet? canT find any

[joeinid]

hi, Is there any review of REF6 out yet? canT find any

Not yet.

[Alpinist]

The REF6 preamp absolutely kicks ass with the Aesthetix Atlas monoblocks, which utilize one 6SN7 tube per channel for all the voltage gain and all solid state for the output stage. I bet it would sound great with most solid state amps that have a high enough input impedance. I was truly impressed with the REF6.

Ken

[La Dolce Vita]

Thinking of picking one up to use with my H30...


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[Alpinist]

Thinking of picking one up to use with my H30...

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Hegel H30 Balanced Input Impedance = 20,000 Ohms

ARC REF6 Balanced Output Impedance = 600 Ohms

20,000 / 600 = 33.3X (Should be at least 10X greater)

Should be good from an impedance perspective. I bet it will sound great too. You should give one a whirl in your system.

Ken

[La Dolce Vita]

Thanks Ken...very helpful!


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[Ali]

I just got and installed my REF6 half an hour ago! The rest are ARC GS150, EAR/Yoshino CD player, Wilson SashaII, All cables from Furutech Flex line, I liked to upload their pictures but can't do that because although I choose picture file but it doesn't give me option to upload it or the upload button does not response; pity!

[MDP]

Welcome to AS Ali.

Nice system!

[MM622]

I've test the Ref 6 this week, not a good report, just for information:

Ref 6 test report

[slowikpl]

I will get the Reference 6 on coming weekend. Used and have only 100 hrs. on it. It will be first Audio Research product for me. It will be drive my Pass XA 160.5. I hoop it will be good synergy. No listening session first ( no dealer have then here) ;-/ I hope it will improve my Pass XP20 in some Tube- sweetness / more organic sound.

Does anybody knows how long will it take to break in ? According some sites 300 hrs. or 600+ hrs. :?
And have somebody data how big in uF – capacity are those gold capacitors ?

[SoundRebels]

(...)

Does anybody knows how long will it take to break in ? According some sites 300 hrs. or 600+ hrs. :?
And have somebody data how big in uF – capacity are those gold capacitors ?

I've heard (info directly from Audio Research) about 300 hrs.

[Ali]

I will get the Reference 6 on coming weekend. Used and have only 100 hrs. on it. It will be first Audio Research product for me. It will be drive my Pass XA 160.5. I hoop it will be good synergy. No listening session first ( no dealer have then here) ;-/ I hope it will improve my Pass XP20 in some Tube- sweetness / more organic sound.

Does anybody knows how long will it take to break in ? According some sites 300 hrs. or 600+ hrs. :?
And have somebody data how big in uF – capacity are those gold capacitors ?

Mine getting better after around 200hour, although it was nice sounding from start but now what I feel after 200 is more transparency and dynamic range, less distortion in high volume and better separation; It seems its just beginning to show its abilities! You will love it. Don't expect overly warm sound of tube; It is really very low coloration device, monitor class/ reference class preamplifier

[madfloyd]

I will get the Reference 6 on coming weekend. Used and have only 100 hrs. on it. It will be first Audio Research product for me. It will be drive my Pass XA 160.5. I hoop it will be good synergy. No listening session first ( no dealer have then here) ;-/ I hope it will improve my Pass XP20 in some Tube- sweetness / more organic sound.

Does anybody knows how long will it take to break in ? According some sites 300 hrs. or 600+ hrs. :?
And have somebody data how big in uF – capacity are those gold capacitors ?

Congrats! As another Pass owner, I would love to hear your thoughts once you have heard it. Keep us posted!

[La Dolce Vita]

I will get the Reference 6 on coming weekend. Used and have only 100 hrs. on it. It will be first Audio Research product for me. It will be drive my Pass XA 160.5. I hoop it will be good synergy. No listening session first ( no dealer have then here) ;-/ I hope it will improve my Pass XP20 in some Tube- sweetness / more organic sound.

Does anybody knows how long will it take to break in ? According some sites 300 hrs. or 600+ hrs. :?
And have somebody data how big in uF – capacity are those gold capacitors ?

Many congrats! Exciting news... Mine is still burning in. I have a friend who said at 600 hours magic happens... So I'm waiting to get there myself. Hard to imagine it getting better.

It should outperform your XP-20 as for me it did so with my XP-30. Although the XP-30 is also amazing.

[Ritmo]

My experience has been that by the 400 hr point, ARC sound has stabilized and small improvements will continue until 600 hrs. Do not give up on the gear until it gets to 600 hrs. I've seen people be impatient and sell their ARC gear before it is operating at its full potential.

2 cents...

[mep]

The piece of paper that comes in the box with your ARC Ref 6 says it takes 600 hours for full break in. It sounds great fresh out of the box so it's nothing to get your panties in a bunch over.

[nc42acc]

I think the person I bought my REF5SE from didn't let it burn in long enough. I think it sounds amazing, cannot imagine the REF6 being better.

[highEndguy]

ARC rules

[La Dolce Vita]

My Ref 6 still has much burning in to do...but...sounds great already.


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[mep]

I think the person I bought my REF5SE from didn't let it burn in long enough. I think it sounds amazing, cannot imagine the REF6 being better.

I loved my Ref 5SE and thought it sounded great. I just had enough faith in ARC that the Ref 6 would be better since they rarely make missteps. Completely different circuit (poor man's Ref 10?) using 6 tubes instead of 4, beefier power supply as well as the power supply was redesigned. I have no regrets.

[slowikpl]

Hi all ,

I have now 2 days the ARC Ref6 Pre. This is only my opinion so it is my kind of putting in the paper wwhat I experience and compare with. And I must say I’m very impressed by this gear. I was always in love in Tube-sound. But the Tube -effect on some gear what I had listened to was little to slow and sometimes little to sweet to be lifelike reproduction of music. The ARC is never that kind of reproduction. From beginning of listening at 160 hrs on the timetable I was seduction and first hear love. The attack of the bass what I was afraid from tube- gear is sublime. The Bas is lighting fast and very differential. At highs more details stroke me first with the kind finesse that I can remember I first time audition my Aleph -X. Many many more air and effortless reproduction of the sound. Not like correct -sound like my Aleph XP20 , it is music with everything what is music about ! The mids tones are very fine and much meat on the bones. Far better than my old XP20. The XP20 I IMHO good gear for the recording – studio like reproduction. Nothing more than good and correct reproduction. And the ARC Ref6 is IMHO the gear that you forget that you listening to gear , the main importance is the music reproduction , and Thake the journey in to music. That’s what is for me most important.
At 181hrs the first 40 minutes ware ok , but nothing special. Harsh . I Think that this had to do with the Burn-in effect. I will now listen to it 4 full day`s to go asap to the 300 – 600hrs mark. I`m so exciting what will happen. I will report further at 300 hrs mark.
If you have some question feel free to ask.

What is little less that my Plexy-glass top cover have little band from the heat above the 6550 Tube. I have now applied some aluminum tape from the inside side and cut in the venting holes in it. I hope this wil solve the issue.


Today the sound is not that amazing like yesterday . I do not understand this. Could it be that at 190HRS the unit can be that night- day different?

[Alpinist]

Hi all ,

I have now 2 days the ARC Ref6 Pre. This is only my opinion so it is my kind of putting in the paper wwhat I experience and compare with. And I must say I’m very impressed by this gear. I was always in love in Tube-sound. But the Tube -effect on some gear what I had listened to was little to slow and sometimes little to sweet to be lifelike reproduction of music. The ARC is never that kind of reproduction. From beginning of listening at 160 hrs on the timetable I was seduction and first hear love. The attack of the bass what I was afraid from tube- gear is sublime. The Bas is lighting fast and very differential. At highs more details stroke me first with the kind finesse that I can remember I first time audition my Aleph -X. Many many more air and effortless reproduction of the sound. Not like correct -sound like my Aleph XP20 , it is music with everything what is music about ! The mids tones are very fine and much meat on the bones. Far better than my old XP20. The XP20 I IMHO good gear for the recording – studio like reproduction. Nothing more than good and correct reproduction. And the ARC Ref6 is IMHO the gear that you forget that you listening to gear , the main importance is the music reproduction , and Thake the journey in to music. That’s what is for me most important.
At 181hrs the first 40 minutes ware ok , but nothing special. Harsh . I Think that this had to do with the Burn-in effect. I will now listen to it 4 full day`s to go asap to the 300 – 600hrs mark. I`m so exciting what will happen. I will report further at 300 hrs mark.
If you have some question feel free to ask.

What is little less that my Plexy-glass top cover have little band from the heat above the 6550 Tube. I have now applied some aluminum tape from the inside side and cut in the venting holes in it. I hope this wil solve the issue.


Today the sound is not that amazing like yesterday . I do not understand this. Could it be that at 190HRS the unit can be that night- day different?

Up and down until the break-in period is completed. Pretty typical. I heard a Ref 3 phonostage before the break-in period was completed and I thought it sounded pretty bad. Really thin and bright in the treble. Patience is the key.

Best,
Ken

[slowikpl]

Up and down until the break-in period is completed. Pretty typical. I heard a Ref 3 phonostage before the break-in period was completed and I thought it sounded pretty bad. Really thin and bright in the treble. Patience is the key.

Best,
Ken

Thanks Ken. Today it sounded at 253 HRS really as you describe it. Degradation 100% So I don't listen to it before let's say 400HRS. Because it makes me nervous.

I have read somewhere that I can only pass the sound from source through the Preamplifier without turning the amplifiers on. Set the gain at 80 to quicken the burin-in period. Can someone else confirm that?

[Alpinist]

Thanks Ken. Today it sounded at 253 HRS really as you describe it. Degradation 100% So I don't listen to it before let's say 400HRS. Because it makes me nervous.

I have read somewhere that I can only pass the sound from source through the Preamplifier without turning the amplifiers on. Set the gain at 80 to quicken the burn-in period. Can someone else confirm that?

You can but half volume should be sufficient.

Ken

[mep]

I think the break-in period and the attendant changes people claim to hear are overblown. The Ref 6 sounds great fresh out of the box from the factory. If you think you shouldn't listen to it until you hit some magic number of hours on the meter because it's not going to sound very good, something is wrong between your ears and/or your system is hosed. Yes, there are subtle improvements as the hours roll by, but not the way some people portray them. Maybe I should start selling audiophile worry beads.

[slowikpl]

Hi Mep. I don't think that. The day before I know what I heard. It was great. And yesterday It was crazy. Sound was very hard , bright and without any finesse.
Today it was nothing special at all. I wil keep burning the preamp till it reaches at least the effect like 2 days before.
So I do think that now is like a roller coaster. And I will keep writing my experience during the burn in.

[mep]

It makes me wonder about the quality of your electricity. Daytime vs. nighttime?

[La Dolce Vita]

I agree. As a Ref 6 owner it sounds great out of the box. There's some variance as it burns in but nothing like you are describing - that's extreme. How's your electricity? Voltage spikes? Do you use a power conditioner?


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[Superfrg]

Some Arc activity here, nice!

Im experiencing the exact same burn-in effects with my Ref 6, and im only around 100 hours.
I dont even believe in burn in, but its pretty extreme.

Sound was exceptional for the first 60-70 hours, but has changed to one dimensional, overly bright (vocals) and seems slower for the last couple of days.

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum Superfrg, thank you for joining.

[Superfrg]

Thank you

[La Dolce Vita]

How is it that some people have schizophrenic ARC Ref 6's and others (like me) have those that sound consistently good???


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[Superfrg]

How many hours do you have sofar?

I had a Ref5se before, and it did not act up during break-in - no other changes to my system since..

[La Dolce Vita]

Need to check but I'd guess maybe 200...


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[highEndguy]

Hi Guys,

As a dealer of ARC I can tell you that so far my last 6 REF6 sold has been sounding wonderful from start and all of my clients said the same thing from the first minute of starting up the unit the sound is superb.

I believe in the burn in time
But not in the up and down
Sound until the 600hrs

But that's me, I respect each of your experiences




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[slowikpl]

I have purchased new Audiodharma Cable Cocke r. In the meantime I`m asking myself if the result will blown me away with the speaker-Capacitor burn-in , maybe I should also burn the capacitors of my new Preamplifier the Audio Research Reference 6 ? Thake them out and burn properly on the Cable Cocker ;-) Just a thought, the unit sounds great imho. I like soldering and make some test ;-) Does anybody know somebody done that ?

[joeinid]

I would not recommend taking apart your Ref 6 to burn in caps, etc.

Just play it with music and enjoy it. One day you will realize how great it is and say, holy cow! and you will be happy.

[Alpinist]

How is it that some people have schizophrenic ARC Ref 6's and others (like me) have those that sound consistently good???


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Hi Andy,

You raise an excellent point. Some owners, like yourself, love the Ref 6's sound from day one. Other owners need to go fully through the break in process before they find audio nirvana. I would encourage those owners to withhold judgement until the Ref 6 has at least 600 hours on it.

I have loved the sound of my Ref 10 since day one. But I've been told that I will keep hearing improvement until about 600 hours. I'm currently at 250 hours and I'm still hearing consistent improvement in terms of smoothness, refinement and dimension.

Best,
Ken

[slowikpl]

From another member i got this tip:

if you want to burn-in them just get some wires with alligator clips. If the preamplier is turned - off, the capacitors are in a medium -impedance state as the cathode resistor is around 10 kohm and the other wire of the capacitor is grounded by the mute relay.

That would be the best solution. I`m +/- 100% sure that I will not harm my beloved preamplifier ? I was also thinking about this, and even take out the valves out to be sure I don't damage anything.. Can another forum member approve this approach?

[BruceLet]

From another member i got this tip:

if you want to burn-in them just get some wires with alligator clips. If the preamplier is turned - off, the capacitors are in a medium -impedance state as the cathode resistor is around 10 kohm and the other wire of the capacitor is grounded by the mute relay.

That would be the best solution. I`m +/- 100% sure that I will not harm my beloved preamplifier ? I was also thinking about this, and even take out the valves out to be sure I don't damage anything.. Can another forum member approve this approach?

I think it is a bad idea. I would hope that you can just enjoy the great preamp. If not, maybe move on to something else.