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 2 responses by cyclonicman

cyclonicman
693 posts
 
Unless I missed it, it seems that nobody even considered that the MBL is solid state while the REF 3 is a tubed preamp. I personally love the sound of tube preamps, but eventually you will have to replace the tubes which can hit the $1,000 range for excellent quality tubes. Vacuum tube equipment is a whole other universe which eventually will lead you down the road of tube rolling, etc. etc. You need to consider whether you want to walk down that road.
cyclonicman
693 posts
 
TVAD, I was not aware of how many tubes were in the Ref3 or the replacement cost from Audio Research. I have a REF 1, which uses 8 6922/7308 tubes and nos tubes such as Siemens, Valvo or Tungsram can be close to $1,000. So if it is only $330 to replace the tubes on the Ref 3, than you guys are right, as it should not be too much of a concern. The Ref 1 is a superb preamp and from what I have read, the Ref 3 leaves it in the dust!
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