Audio Research Ref 5 preamp

Dev,
Since you prefer the Ref 3 to the Mbl 6010D, why not sell the latter (for a
lot more than the former) and get a Ref 5? I've actually been considering the MBL for quite some time; it's lack of a mono switch is distressing to me. I had a
disappointing experience with the Ref 3 which I attribute to the usual problem of dealing with the impedances of 2 amps (I have a bi-amped system) that ARC
has always had. Even though I'm in the 'safe zone' of about 33K (according to
Ohm's Law), there is a reason that ARC amps all have very high input impedances....150K-300K. I know this is getting somewhat off topic, but I
wonder if you can tell me the sonic differences between the Ref 3 and 6010D? Or, perhaps e-mail me privately. Thanks.

So in other words, if Dev were able to a get good price he could be more disposed to pick one up? LOL....

Hi David_coppell, no that is not what I wrote so lets not get mislead, I clearly wrote;

"I would still want to hear one within my set-up to see if it justifies even that amount though."

Hi Dev, I was responding to the near incomprehensible (at least to me) prose from Unoear.

I am in agreement that one would need to hear the unit in one's own set up to justify the expense, at any level.

Happy listening!

After reading this I realize that the Ref3 I have listened to and coveted, over my Cary preamp, is really a piece of audio-crap and anyone who owns one should be embarassed.

To help out those poor souls stuck with such a glaringly inferior piece of gear, I will save you the trouble of throwing it in the trash, and have UPS come pick it up for you. No, you don't even have to box the offending unit up, I will pay someone to do it for you. I know it's magnanomous of me to do it, but I am all about helping out my audiophile brethren.

If you happen to have that aweful Ref Phono stage (there's now a much better Ref 2) I will take that off your hands as well.

Don't feel sorry for me, I know the gear sucks, I just have one of those hard-to-embarass personalities, and would love to help you out.