Posbwp555, I heard the same info. but Bart you have to take into account other gear along with synergy issues and we as individuals prefer. different sound. I have been communicating with him also mainly because he's another audio lover like the rest of us. He actually had the same speakers as me (Eggleston Andra 2's but recently replaced them with Wilson MAXX 2's) Orrin had the same pre as me (ARC Ref3 but is now selling it, replaced with the Shindo product) He got a Cat amp recently which was on my short list so I was wanting to know what his thoughts were, he told me the the ARC sounded broken compared to the Shindo, what ever that means.
This is a crazy hobby and what I have found is system matching some times shows different characteristics of specific gear. The Arc is a great pre. but is it the "BEST" no, there will never be the best. I bought a Supratek Sauv. that I'm breaking-in and it defently is different than the Arc. sound. A friend who has heard my system prefers the Supratek in it over the ARC, it is different and so far I am really enjoying it, is it better? I will find out later in the Fall when I put my Arc back in, I believe it will only be differenes that I may prefer but not better.