Looking at Upgrading my ARC Line Stage Ref 2 Mk I to an ARC Ref 5se

[marty]

Marty

How often do u use the "my wife will only let me spend x" to get the price down? That one was pretty weak...

Guilty as charged! Doesn't it say right on our audiophile membership cards that this is the first rule to invoke in any purchase?

 

[Another Johnson]

My response as s seller is “That’s a shame. Maybe you could get an older model. There are some for sale on …”.
You’d be surprised how many guys who use this excuse suddenly find more money. Their wives would be surprised too.

 

[Serenade]

I was longtime Ref5SE owner. Had mine for 10 years used 3 full-set of tubes. Sold my 5SE with the latest tubes that had only 200+ hours on them.

The biggest improvement I got was to change the 6550 power tube to the best I could find, which was a NOS Winged-C. The bass details and overall definition got a lot better.

 

[Pacha]

I was longtime Ref5SE owner. Had mine for 10 years used 3 full-set of tubes. Sold my 5SE with the latest tubes that had only 200+ hours on them.

The biggest improvement I got was to change the 6550 power tube to the best I could find, which was a NOS Winged-C. The bass details and overall definition got a lot better.

I've now had my 5se for almost a year and a half. Haven't changed tubes yet but, getting ready to do so and have some NOS 6550 from my years of D79 ownership. You are not the first person to mention this upgrade and I going to give it a try. Thank You for you input.