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ARC REF 3 or MBL 5011 - what is better buy?

Hello, I have the opportunity to buy MBL 5011 and ARC REF 3 for a great price. I cannot demo or audition them so I would like to get the opinion of the people who have/had/tried them in their systems. My listening preferences are jazz, classical (orchestra, chamber or solo piano) music. The rest o my system:

Esoteric x-3se cdp
Plinius sb301 amp
Egglestone Andra II speakers
Stealth Metacarbon Ics (RCA)
Stealth Dream Petite (bi-wired) speaker cables

Any advice is highly appreciated. Please do not bother with recommendations to demo/audition them because it is out of the possibility.
denon1
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Well, I'll toss the Lamm L2 Reference into the suggestion pile. I preferred it to the ARC Reference 3. Better bass definition, depth and control. Better tonal balance throughout the frequency spectrum in my system. Image size (height, width and depth was about the same).

No remote. Two boxes instead of one (control unit and power supply).

Pretty good deal if purchased used, too.
markwatkiss
476 posts
 
Just to clarify,I owned a REF 3 and a Capri which I acquired based on Guido's favourable reviews,he is a well respected audiophile.The Capri just didn't make majic in my system,nor those of several others I have since corresponded with.
I am a believer in equipment synergy and I have no doubt that in Guido's system the Capri excelled.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
The Capri just didn't make majic in my system,nor those of several others I have since corresponded with.
Markwatkiss (Threads | Answers)
After I sold my ARC Reference 3, I heard from two other Reference 3 owners who experienced the same lack of magic in their systems.

As you state, system synergy is crucial and is difficult to predict on paper. Not until one gets the components together is it possible to determine if they make the magic we all seek.
denon1 OP
289 posts
 
Tvad, I agree. I will have to go this road again. Trial and error. Untill I hear it in my system and in my rooom, I will not be able to determine. But still your advise as well as the others is very helpfull. Thank you.
nolitan
865 posts
 
another consideration would be to sell the plinius in the future and save up for a used lamm 1.2 or 2.2s. These amps are really special and magical! and i have read they work well with the Egglestons.
I had plinius amps before, integrateds & separates. They are very good amps, no doubt! but in my experience, they just dont have the magic and soul of the Lamms. YMMV.
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