McIntosh C1000 tube pre vs. ARC Ref 3?

Hantrax, OMG the REVIEWERS give a " product of the year award" and based on THAT you believe something to be true " by a country mile". Thats fine for you but I think the responses to you are from thoughtful people who actually believe in hearing for themselves and not taking for granted the opinions of paid " reviewers" who work for a magazine which accepts advertising. Even if the reviewer is being totally unbiased you still can not account for the "reviewers" personal taste, set up, musical selections etc. You NEED a head to head comparison in your system, in your room, listening to your music to make any credible judgement about the relative merits of the two preamps. BTW and this is JMHO but at this level nothing with the possible exception of speakers is better " by a country mile". There are certain APPLICATIONS which favor one piece or another. - JIM

Hantrax, Yes in a way I am just giving you a hard time as my opinion isn't worth all that much. However, I stand by my opinion that he ought to HEAR ( for the reasons above)them to decide for himself. Also and this might be a bit more controversial but ( with exceptions) " reviewers" opinioins are not worth worrying about one way or the other. To make a decision based on their 'latest and greatest' B.S. is silly. Trust what YOU hear and don't be influenced by these nimrods. JMHO - Jim