McIntosh C1000 tube pre vs. ARC Ref 3?

Has anybody heard these against each other? Both are very well received by the audio press.

gpgr4blu01-06-2007 3:42am

gshepardbuster Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 620 posts 05-11-2012 at 09:27am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Googleli, The ARC 3 is no doubt a top performer, but in YOUR system the Mcintosh c500 would be a natural match to the MC602 IMO.
gpgr4blu OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,085 posts 05-12-2012 at 05:00am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I think you'll find the ARC/Mac combo to be a bit more transparent. It will change the character of your sound. If you like the Mac sound, complete the circle and go Mac. If you think you need a bit more bloom and transparency, go ARC. When I added an ARC pre to a Mac amp, I liked what I heard so much, I bought an ARC amp. Completely different sound which I now greatly prefer. Your opinion may differ.
patsuh Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 22 posts 10-02-2012 at 05:15am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete This. Is a joke??? There is not way to compare mcintosh to arc, see inside how they are build, mcintosh have maybe some really good amps but preamps are a different story, audioresearch are vastly superior, Therese both circuits designs before even compare it!!, maybe Conrad's or Vtls are comparable but Mackies are really not more than pretty looking pieces but inside are poorly made...