hi there, just thought i'd interject a comment regarding the ref 3 vs vtl preamps. 1. the vtl preamp at approx the same price as the ref3 is the vtl 6.5. there is no mark II edition [mis-stated by guidocorna]. the vtl6.5 was offered after the vtl 7.5 origin, around the time of the vtl 7.5mkII. the vtl 6.5 is the little brother of the 7.5 mkII, sharing the 7.5 mkII technology and is cuperior to the original vtl 7.5 preamp.
salvo: you comment that you have never known a person disastified with their ref3. when, here is one! to be accurate, after a very very thorough a/b with the ref3 and vtl 6.5 , i chose the vtl 6.5. my review of the vtl 6.5 vs ref 3 is posted on audiogon. as mentioned in my review, i have listened to the vtl 7.5 mk II for only a very short while, but it was easily apparent that the 7.5 mkII went the extra 9 yards that the 6.5 does not... and by deduction, would easily outclass the ref3 in some areas of presentation DEPENDING on the other components in the system, incl speakers, amp, cables, current quality, and of course quality of the source components. overall, it is all about system synergy and room acoustics. however, if you are considering the ref 3, i suggest you do some very critical listening in the upper bass presentation with complex / dense orchestra music. also, scores with very rapid sfortzando episodes. transients can lack good resolution, even in music performed on piano alone! this is not to say that the ref 3 isnt excellent. it cerntaily is, but it is not the hands down champion in a class that includes a handful of other top notch preamps in the usd$10k range and above. cheers.
