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help me decide: VTL 7.5 or ARC Ref 3

Hi, I am currently contemplating these two preamps. My reference is the Einstein The Tube preamp. Both of these sound pretty close to the Einstein. I would greatly appreciate feedback from owners of either preamp (past, present, future). Also, which one is more tubey? I have heard the Ref 3 and it sounds great. I have not heard the VTL 7.5 but have heard incredible things about it.

Thanks in advance.
128x128tboooe
ssynphonic
4 posts
 
I owned both, and the VTL 7.5 first version was so superior compare to the Ref 3 that it makes me hard to believe how other audiophiles prefer the Ref 3, there was no comparison. I wonder in what hi-fi systems they have been hooked up.
dpac996's avatar
dpac996
433 posts
 
Though I have not personally heard either, from the available data, the VTL *should* have better pre-amp performance, namely better noise performance. From the known literature, the VTL has a shorter signal path, which is in-line with the typical audiophile desires. I believe the Achilles' heel in the ARC topology is the choice of integrated circuit for remote volume control [These devices are readily available from Digikey for a few bucks. These IC's contain numerous active elements (op amps), of which are in the signal path]. The VTL has only a "95-step 70dB discrete relay attenuator for all attenuation functions" - ripped from the website.
I would think for a $10k unit a more robust solution would have been implemented for the actual signal attenuation. The chosen design is quite inexpensive, and is a poor choice IMHO, and as always YMMV.
hobby
40 posts
 
I have not heard VTL or ARC, but I am extremely happy with my Cary 306 SACD & Cary slp-05 combo! I use my Cary slp-05 with Theta Citadels. Before that I had Theta GenVIII. Cary slp-05 is better!
I can not understand some say the cary slp-05 is cold....!? Must be something wrong in that system!
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