ARC Ref 3 or VTL 6.5?

Allenc, what is the rest of your system, including ICS, speakerwires, PCs, etc. . .? What music do you listen to? What do you like least about your LS25? What do you like best about your LS25? What sound do you wish to achieve?
I am proud owner of a Ref 3, yet that does not mean anything, as both devices are excellent and to the best of my knowledge without reproach. It will be only a matter of personal preference. . . so, do tell us more.

What a coincidence Allenc, I also have an X-01, into Ref 3, Into Rowland 7M, into MagnePan 3A. My Ref 3 replaces an ARC LS2B. I chronicled my long selection process on the following thread:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1123254379&openmine&Guidocorona&4&5&st0
I listen almost only to classical music, and within that not too much orchestra, but mostly chamber and vocal. You won't go wrong with either linestages. VTL will give you perhaps just slightly softer transients and a slightly more intimate or romantic feel. Ultimately you may need to audition both these creatures. . . really tough to find them both in the same store though, except perhaps at Soundworks in Kensington (Ma). 301-929-8600. If you decide to buzz them, you should make sure you talk to Peter, he is extremely knowledgeable, the rest of that company's crowd is quite run of the mill instead. By the way, you should try an Anaconda Helix Alpha on your X-01 if you have the opportunity!

Dgad, do you happen to know when was the update on the 6.5 introduced? And do all 6.5s after such date sport the new circuitry, or is it an option only? The update may very well have addressed some of the mild objections I voiced on the 7.5 when I listened to it two years ago. This all points to Allenc really needing to hear both these devices before committing to one of them.

It looks like all new VTL 6.5 are born with the update. According to Bea at VTL, Dr. Scialli's device, which came out of the furnace in April, already was born with the new circuitry.

Right on Dgad!