McIntosh C1000 tube pre vs. ARC Ref 3?

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

Jim:

One product gets Product of the Year, and then the same reviewers declare the other "the best preamplifier ever" FROM ARC.

It's sort of like you dated around before you got married, and your wife is the one you married, but that one girl was "the best redhead" you ever dated. That's a slap in the face. They didn't say "one of the best preamps we've ever heard". They said "the best from ARC".

There is a massive difference, and I am sure you all see this and are just giving me a hard time for fun.

But I do agree with your need for a head to head comparison in your own system. There is also a need (for most of us) to get out there and gather as much info as possible from as many sources as possible. This is what GPGR4BLU did, and he made the correct decision.

How many people on the EARTH have done a comparison of an ARC 3 and a C1000 in their system? I would venture to guess that there are less than a dozen. The guy wanted info, and I provided that, WITH my disclaimer that I had NOT done a head to head comparison.

You guys just want to argue for fun, and that's cool b/c I can do that all day. But I'm right here.

>>I posted no strong opinion on anything I haven't heard.<<

I suppose if Bill Clinton can argue the meaning of "is" you certainly have the right to argue the meaning of "strong".

However, an opinion is an opinion. Perhaps YOU should go back and read the thread. One foot is comfortably inside; there appears to be plenty of room remaining for the other.

And another thing. . . McIntosh doesn't ADVERTISE with the magazine in question. Not that it has any bearing on the topic at hand, but I thought I'd point that out based on your insinuation that they are buying these awards.