I think both people above said it best, both of these units are nice good sounding Equipment they will get you excellent Performance to Money Ratio. But you don't have to Spend $1200 to get them, I would say Audio Refinement used is running $400-$600 bucks. Not sure on the Arcam I have listened to both and liked them. Arcam stuff has been getting alot of Press lately mainly because of there new DVD's DV87,88 and FMJ. But Audio Refinment is the younger brother to YBA, and it does sound nice very musical never tiring. Close your eyes listen to both, if you can't tell the diff. then buy the cheaper of the 2, and expend your CD collections with the money left over.