I used to own an ARC LS22 which I sold after I bought a Line 3. The Line 3 sounds more neutral than the LS22 (I find that I like it better as I don't won't my system to add or subtract anything from the source material). Added bonuses are the seperate power supply and superb digital volume control. I suspect that one would have to go up to the ARC Ref 2 to get equal or better performance. Considering that the Ref 2 costs more than twice as the Line 3 makes me view the later as a 'best buy'.
Sonic Frontiers Preamps - Cold & thin?
In reading reviews on SF preamps, there seem to be two camps: those who think they are among the best tube units out there, & those who think they sound analytical, & thin in the midrange & treble. Would like to hear other's experiences & how they would rate them against AR & CJ. Also, how does the SFL-2 compare to the newer Line models?