I appreciate the responses. I’m a big fan of ARC tube gear (and tube gear in general) having owned the VT100 back in the day (love that amp) Unfortunately my current living situation cannot accommodate a tube rig. At best, a tube pre is possible as long as it’s not a space heater. The Ref3 has been on my list for awhile, they finally seem to be within my price point. My rig as best I can describe it, comes off on the slightly darker side of neutral. Quite enjoyable and non-fatiguing but it definitely would benefit from more musicality. I’m not looking for an end-game system at this point, I just enjoy experimenting with good eno-vintage gear.
Levinson 380S vs Boulder 810
Interested in thoughts here on the differences between these two preamps. I’ve been living with the 380S (paired w- Levinson 335) with no complaints whatsoever. That being said, the opportunity presents itself for me to obtain the Boulder 810. I’ve always wanted to try a piece of Boulder gear in my rig, (the 810 is perhaps the only piece of Boulder gear I’ll ever be able to afford). The question here being is the 810 a step up or sideways in relation to the 380S? Sidebar: my original plan was to eventually replace the 380S with a ARC Ref3.