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

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.

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.

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.

{{{As for now, I’m leaning towards ARC REF 3. The only thing that stops me from buying it the opinion of the Audiogon member( Guidocorona ) who seem reviewer for TAS and respected here on the AudioGon. He is stating on several occasions that Jeff Rowland Capri sounds close if not better (for him of course) than ARC REF 3. When I read that $3000 unit sounds as good or better than $10000 unit it make me confused at least and make me to go on another round of evaluations.}}
I used to be a Plinius dealer and the ARC Ref 3 worked very well with the Plinius amps either a 26 or a Ref 3 would be a great pairing
Rowland gear has always matched up best with their own matching units as they were designed to do
I believe guido when he hears this fine pairing with the Rowland gear.
I wouldn't let it confuse your situation as the Plinius ARC is a different interface.
Best John

I use to own the Andra 2's and these are great speakers, I also used Stealth product within that set-up. Indra, Dream SC and PC's and really worked well them. Amps I had McIntosh 501's and then Pass X600.5's all using the Stealth product and all with a Ref3 pre. I currently still have all of the Stealth product and use MBL 101E speakers and still have the Ref3 pre. If I still owned the Andra's I would have liked to have tried the Lamm product. Ref3 and Lamm are suppose to be a really nice match and many use this combo. I have heard Plinus and I preferred the others connected with the Ref3

In the end it's your choice but if it was mine, I would get the Ref3 pre and look at amp change if not now down the road but make sure you do not rest your opinion when paired up with the Plinus.