I agree with shamburg's opinion and assessment of the Line 3. It is extremely neutral to the point of simply doing its job without added colorations... Whatever sound you're looking to achieve must get its character from other parts of your system chain, ie power amp, because the Line 3 is not influential this way. I am a very happy owner of one and have had nothing but exemplary service from it and the SF staff (I needed a couple of tubes). No experience with the AR25 but my guess is it's an excellent product which will however impart more influence into the chain than the Line 3 ever will. Keep in mind again though, it won't give you classic tube sound to your [already] solid state based system. It would still be my choice among most preamps...(and it's incredibly versatile as well).Good luck and happy lissnin...
Sonic Frontiers line 3 vs. AR 25 II
I'm on the verge of buying one of these pre's. There's a little price descrepancy between the SF 3 and the AR 25II. I've never even seen a Sonic Frontier's pre but have heard good things. If anyone has first hand experience with these pre's, which would you choose to mate with a Levison 334 amp, Sony SCD 777ES, and top notch DIY speakers. Thanks.