Why did you switch from Audio Research Ref 3?

Markwatkiss said;

"It's all about harmony and synergy with your components.What works well for me, may not for you."

Well put and I fully agree, I still have my ARC REF3 and I'm fully enjoying it.

Bvdiman, FM Acoustics; never had the chance yet to hear but look forward to doing so in the near future but when I see the list prices I'm just amazed and shake my head saying that's crazy how can this be worth that much, that pre-amp you make reference to how much $80-90 thousand US dollars list. Is it 100 times better than your old Ref3. I have had some ultra expensive pces in my system and some were okay and some terrible but to date I have found once you get to a curtain level the differences are slight and usually just a personal preference. I have MBL 101E speakers, do you have any recomendations pre and amp (mono block preference do to set-up config) that would work well with them, line only no phono with this set-up.

Hoping not to steal this thread, I've been considering the ARC Ref 3, VTL 6.5, the Cary SLP-05, the ARC LS-26 and the McIntosh C2300 as I move to 2 channel only. The problem is no in my area carries any of these so I can't audition anything.

My main speakers are B&W 802D, my CD player is a Cary 303/300 (which I like the sound of) and the amp is a Spectron Musician III SE MK2 with V-Cap option for added liquidty. I listen to all types of music except for hard rock/rap.

I want to add a tube based preamp as it will go well with the IEC based Spectron but have no idea what to get. I read countless reviews here, on Stereophile and in other magazines and Audio review.

Does anyone have something close to a SS amp using a tube preamp with B&W dimaond series speakers and if so what would your recommendations be?

Thanks in advance.

Nick778, I would recommend starting a new thread with your question.

Nick778,

The VTL is the best of the bunch. Last pick would be Mac 2300 since it is not true balanced.

"It's all about harmony and synergy ..."

Especially the amplifier's input impedance. The Ref3 works best driving high impedance (100kOhms).