2. amps-preamps
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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

Showing 1 response by audphile1

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,443 posts
 
contact Tboooe. he had both preamps. I am sure he wouldn't mind sharing his thoughts. REF3 is a good preamp and I think if you are listening to a lot of large scale orchstral it may serve you well. Tboooe kept MBL. But I believe his taste in music is small ansamble jazz and vocals and not a lot of large scale classical. But do contact him. Also read through his system page he shares his thoughts there in regards to both units.

Best of luck!
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