I agree with the previous suggestion - the Ref6SE is an exceptional preamplifier and will make a larger difference in your system, unless you feel the VT180SE underpowers your speakers.
I don't feel that the VT80SE is underpowered per se. Legacy's are very efficient, but are also rather demanding loads. I also have them crossed over to my sub at 65Hz, further easing the power demand. But I'm also thinking about future speaker upgrades and just about everything I'm thinking about probably needs more power than the VT80SE has. And I have to admit that I love the Ghost Meters!
I'll throw in another vote for the Ref 6SE, so long as you are happy with the output level you are getting from the VT80SE. Moving from the LS28 to the Ref 6 is a big step.
If it were me I would start with the Ref 160Ms which gets you out of the Foundation Series, should yield a richer, fuller sound and puts fewer restrictions on future speaker choices.
With the Ref 6se, I do not think you'd get it's full benefits when paired with the VT80se.
For a linestage my first choice would a used Ref 10, still ARC's best.
I would recommend going with the 160M first. The LS28 is a good preamp, and you’ll hear the benefits of double the power and mono’s. 6SE or REF10 is still an excellent upgrade if you decide to go that route!
Adam,
In an ideal world, you would audition the REF 6SE and REF 160M in your own system to help you decide which one would be more impactful. Anything less, would be guesswork IMHO.
I currently have both the 6SE and the 160M Mk 2 although your upgrade path would be different. I went from a 5SE to the REF 6 which was upgrade to the 6SE. My first amps were a pair of REF 250, later upgraded to the 250SE and finally, the 160M Mk 2.
I have to say the upgrade that gave the biggest improvement in SQ, somewhat surprisingly, was the last, the addition of the 160 Mk 2. The increase in the weight (bass) and overall impact of the music was startling even though I went from 250 to 140 watts per channel. I would guess that either upgrade would be a big jump vs. the more incremental changes I heard (e.g. going from the 5SE to the 6SE). So, you can't go wrong with either.
The other factor to consider is the substantive difference in cost. The 6SE lists for $22,500 and the 160M Mk. 2 now goes for $45,000! Used prices are substantially less. If cost is an issue, you might get more bang for your buck with the 6SE, but those ghost meters are sexy!
I would recommend going with the 160M first. The LS28 is a good preamp, and you’ll hear the benefits of double the power and mono’s. 6SE or REF10 is still an excellent upgrade if you decide to go that route!
How might the OP benefit from “Double the power and mono’s” when the fundamental audio signal is still ‘relatively’ editorialised by his current generation of pre amplifier , one step up the signal chain . The latter cannot recover what has been truncated in the delivery from the former .
