Audio Research Ref 5 SE

Well considering that the average ARC preamp lifespan is 4-5 years, I can understand your thinking that a new model will be coming soon, perhaps at the 2014 CES. However, whether a new model is released or not, it will have no effect on the sound of the Ref 5 SE, regardless of what the media will say.

Czbbcl & Jmcgrogan2
Thank you for your advises.
My thinking is that the performance and outlook of a new model should be much improved.
Hifier1958

As soon as they have a Ref-6.

Hello, ARCDB says there's en ARC Ref. 10 out there in production. don't know what happened to the 6 - 9...

The Ref-10 is currently in production and sells for 30k. They just came out with A Ref-10 phono stage. That will also set you back 30k.