ARC or other Pre?


Hi all,
I need a balanced pre to go with my ARC V140 mono blocks. An ARC pre is the obvious choice but it seems that the REF5 is one of the few options worth having, the others sounding worse than it in the range (obviously). What else is out there for less cash? I have £3k uk pounds max. Can spend less! Doesn't have to be valves.

Front end is VPI super scoutmaster and speakers are Martin Logan Clarity.

Cheers, T
timfld

Showing 2 responses by abrew19

Is there really that much difference between the models, such as the LS27 and say the LS26? And the Ref3 versus the Ref5? We're talking mid-20th century technology here, folks -- there are no real breakthroughs happening here. Something about a company that is constantly releasing new models and new "upgrades" makes me a little suspicious. Are they simply playing games, because they know they have a group of core customers who will go out and buy every new model that is released? I am just asking the question. As opposed to a company that is so confident in their designs that they only release new models when they have something truly new to say (Pass Labs for example).

I'm not attacking ARC very much -- I own an LS16 mkII myself! (also own a Pass).

I'm just wondering if we are exaggerating the differences too much.