Seriously? Why Buy ARC Ref 6SE? seems Benchmark LA4 is a better choice.

I believe audiophiles should purchase whatever preamplifier, if any, sounds best to them in their system, and within their budget. We all value different musical attributes and presentations...fortunately there is an abundance of choices in audio gear. I’ve been using VAC preamplifiers since 2000 when I simply fell in love with their musical virtues no matter what amplifier I use.
I’m sure I could live with other fine preamplifiers at a lesser price. However, listening to a VAC preamplifier is my musical cup of tea. Drink up and enjoy!

Odd that there is limited info available about internal design flow of a preamp.  Maybe a diagram showing signal flow.

this would be of interest to many. or maybe not.
Maybe if you did some research you could figure out the signal flow, or maybe not.

If you seriously think the Benchmark preamp is "the better choice", then that's what you should buy. I envy your lack of discrimination.

I had the ref 6. It was a beauty. I can't imagine how good the 6SE would be.

@aewarren 

If you seriously think the Benchmark preamp is "the better choice", then that's what you should buy. I envy your lack of discrimination.

A statement like that makes me think that you have never heard the LA4. I have heard some very expensive ARC gear,  I guess that must mean it was some of their better gear. 

Easy question in this discussion,  do want you preamp to add sound or no sound? That is the "discrimination" decision.