Audio research Ref.3 vs Primaluna Dialogue premium preamp

The principal reason I'd probably select a Primaluna over the ARC is that with the ARC is what you hear is what you get. You really can't change the tone by rolling tubes. With the Primaluna you can change the tone quite effectively by simply changing tubes. The ARC output impedance will be an easier load for many amps. This might be a problem for some Primaluna users. It was so for me on an earlier Primaluna pre. 

There are other issues which would probably push me toward the Prologue as well but for me those are the relevant ones, and frankly if I were to buy one now I would probably not buy either. 

The principal reason I'd probably select a Primaluna over the ARC is that with the ARC is what you hear is what you get.

That is exactly why I'd choose the Ref 3.  

I owned the Ref 3 for a half dozen years and found it to be extended, fairly detailed and accurate.  Overall sound was a lot like solid state.  I wanted it to sound special but couldn’t quite pull it off.

REF 3 definitely

If you can do a side by side A/B comparison in your home system, you will see/hear that there really isn't a comparison.

Don't get me wrong.  The Primaluna unit is very nice.  But, it isn't on the same level with the REF 3.

enjoy

I just entered and know very little about this hobby/obsession but in my quest for understanding, I took the tour of AR on two youtube shows. I was struck by their attention to detail, commitment to quality(Woo), voicing their product AND their ability to service any of their machines since before AR was AR. I now aspire to own their product provided I like what I hear and someday the funds to afford them.
I might add the Nelson Pass interviews on yourtube were also very interesting and educational but in a different psychoacoustic and marketing way.