McIntosh C1000 tube pre vs. ARC Ref 3?

I listened to the tubed Mac against Ref 3 with esoteric cd player, B&W 802s MacIntosh 501 monolocks. Then listened to Ref 3 alone with Halcro amp and Hansen King speakers which were beautiful. Listened to classical guitar, Steely Dan, Van Morrison, smattering of classical and jazz. I have ordered the Mac pre and will use with Mac 2102 tube amp, VPI Superscoutmaster w Dynavector XV-1S, Bel Canto PL1 universal player, Stealth cabling, Wison Watt Puppy 7 speakers. What Fremer said in his review was so true. The background is so black on the Mac that all detail is revealed. All human voices lose grit and grain that I never knew was there until I heard voices without it. This is truly the least tubey- sounding tube product I have ever heard, but it is by no means solid state. The ARC wears tubes on it's sleeve very well. In fact, it could be more spectacular because of it's nice blend of color saturation. On the other hand, an instrument on the ARC can occasionally sound slightly unlike the instrument itself (although always on the side of euphony). The clarity and leading edge that the Mac has is simply missing on the ARC. But I was very impressed with it's way with music though and would probably have purchased that over any other pre I've heard. I have heard VTL, Conrad Johnson VAC, CAT, BAT all of which have great qualities and faithful adherents . I simply can't imagine a pre can sound better overall than the tube Mac 1000. Although I must qualify that I have not heard the Lyra Connesoisseur and I have heard Shindo and Lamm and liked them a lot (esp Shindo) but refuse to consider a pre that lacks flexibility of use and some form of remote. As far as looks are concerned, the Mac tubed preamp is simply far and away the prettiest piece of audio equipment I have ever seen. That's not why I'll buy it, but it's a nice extra. I expect to have it in hand by Friday. I'll update you on phonostage or any other aspect that you'd like.

Gpgr4blu, nice write-up.
Synergy is everything. Mac pre + Mac monoblocks is most likely more synergistic than ARC + Mac monoblocks.
Would be cool to know how Mac pre sounded with Halcro amp.

So have you auditioned both of these in-home or at a dealer's?

I agree with your comment on synergies. Although I would guess that I have a grip on the gestalt of both. They are both world beaters with very different personalities. I auditioned at dealer. I intend to find out how Mac pre sounds with Halcro, Classe, Levinson and other solid state. But we can't buy too much all at once, so maybe next step at year end. I like the Mac 2102 alot, but of course an upgrade always leads to wondering how other new items will interact with the newest purchase. Best case, you realize you have what you like the best and stick with it. But how often are we that lucky?

I've been looking at the ARC REF3 as a possible replacement for my Pass Labs X 0.2 preamp. After reading the Stereophile article on the MAC 1000 at their website and reading the answers on this thread, I'll be looking at the MAC 1000 as well, which is one drop dead gorgeous preamp. It looks like there's a new kid on the block. Also, I agree with Audphile1: Gpgr4blu, your comparison and contrast of the two preamps was very well written and thoughtful. Best Regards, Stan

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