hicourt

Responses from hicourt

McIntosh C1000 tube pre vs. ARC Ref 3?
The original poster did not ask about the ARC Ref. 2! The Ref. 3 is so much beyond the Ref.2. Even the LS 26 is beyond the old Ref.2 and by a wide margin! Plus, if you depend on audio rags to justify your audio gear purchases your in for a big let... 
McIntosh C1000 tube pre vs. ARC Ref 3?
" The McIntosh is the clear winner here by a country mile, even though I will admit I haven't heard the ARC." What kind of BS is this? This is what I and most seasoned audiophiles are sick of. Please, all you young A-philes don't get caught up in ... 
Amps and Quatros
All the Pass Labs .5 series sound close. Only the bass is slightly different(as well as power) but, sonically they are very close. Since your Quatros have a bass amp powering anything under 100Hz then just about any Pass will do.If I were to go so... 
Bryston 3B ST or McCormack DNA 1
Try a Belles 150A. It is between the 3BST and DNA1. A little brighter and more accurate than the DNA1,but warmer, smoother than the 3B ST.