New Audio Research Reference 150 SE

ARC is shipping my Ref 150 SE tomorrow. Hopefully, will get it on or before Friday.

Spoke to Kal today about the power supply caps. He said the SE version uses the same PS caps as the older Ref 150 (sans upgrade).

I'll share comments too as I rack up hours. Kal said break-in for an upgraded amp is about 125 hours, but it will sound pretty good out of the box.

I wish that I had taken a picture of the amp before it was shipped. Unfortunately I did not so I am not in a position to describe apparent changes in parts.
Late yesterday afternoon I played a cd that I played a few days ago using the Bel Canto amps. The presentation of that disc was more detailed through the Bel Cantos, so this may be an indication that the amp running 10-15 hours is far from what it will be capable of after 100-200 hours.
I will continue reporting what I hear.

Herb & Bifwynne ...

Don't be surprised if the amp improves, then takes a little step backwards. This has happened to me on both the REF-75 and the REF-75-SE. By "backwards," I mean a little darkening in the presentation. It soon emerges from that temporary stage to new heights of clarity and musicality.

I just hit 150 hours on the REF-75-SE this morning and the damned thing is glorious. My favorite vocalists are in the room with me.

Happy listening ...

@Oregonpapa -- Yeah ... well I hope I'm still alive to find out. ARC shipped it to me on The Slow Boat to China Trucking Company. I just call ARC to see if they can use The Road Runner Trucking Company. Hoping they can. Otherwise, I won't get my amp until next week.

Sh*t ... I shipped it via FexEx Ground to ARC and it took 3 business days to get it from Philly to ARC.

Bifwynne ...

Why didn't they use UPS? Jeez, my REF-75 came back via UPS and the guy even carried into the house for me.