Based on all the reviews out there, which the OP mentions, my statement was accurate. At least I admitted not hearing the Ref 3. That's probably more than most of you would have done.
You can surmise that the 1000 is ahead by a country mile just from reading the reviews. The same magazine picked one as Product of the YEAR. And of the other they say "the best preamplifier ever from Audio Research". Sounds like a backhanded compliment to me.
As I said, I've spent much time with the Ref 2 and the 1000. So I am quite a bit more qualified here than most.
You can surmise that the 1000 is ahead by a country mile just from reading the reviews. The same magazine picked one as Product of the YEAR. And of the other they say "the best preamplifier ever from Audio Research". Sounds like a backhanded compliment to me.
As I said, I've spent much time with the Ref 2 and the 1000. So I am quite a bit more qualified here than most.