IMO LS-26/Ref 110 is the way to go. The LS26 is close enough in performance to Ref 3 to consider it as an option on a limited budget. I'm Ref 3/Ref 110 owner.
what ARC combo- Ref 1/Ref 110 or Ref 3/VT 100 MK3?
assuming similar price points on used market- i.e. Ref 1 preamp and VT 100 MKIII amp are similar in cost, as are used Ref 110 amp and Ref 3 preamp. In your opinion, which of the above pairings would yield better performance and which would you choose? (as the prices of each combo are similar).