Audio Research vs Sonic Frontiers

Sold a Ref 1 and got a SF line 3. Am very happy with the trade up. Ref 1 and a previous LS2B were both too bright. The SF is totally neutral, cheaper, has better definition, resolution, and base. The one area that just can't be a matter of opinion or taste is S/N ratio. Both ARC products had ground loop problems that gave totally unacceptable 60Hz hum. I corrected the problem somewhat by using a cheater plug. When I connected a video source that was connected to my cable TV (AT&T) the hum came back big time. This means if you plan on using the preamp as any part of a home theater system... don't buy ARC..

I have heard and owned pre-amps by both ARC and SF. I dont see how a definite recommendation can be made without knowing what the rest of your system entails, not to mention your listening environment. If what your asking is whether or not these pre-amps have the ability to produce good quaility sound reproduction, you have heard from proponents of both sides, and for what its worth, I concur. As advised, your ears are the best judge, best of luck....

Keep in mind the choice of tubes-they influence the sound and tube rolling can offer you the ability to tune your system to your liking-find a good dealer that offers tube choices i.e Upscale Audio.

Hi Guys: Thanks much for your opinions to date. To clarify: I have to go with balanced connections which is why I have arrived at these two choices. Listening would indeed be the best route however it is not practical as I am buying over the internet and local shops do not lend out gear. The main criticism of SF stuff is that it is more like transistors than transistors. It may well be that AR is the same. I do want the flexability to "dial in" the sound with NOS tubes and am seeking a lush full detailed sound with a tight bottem end (don't we all want that...er, em back to audio) and sound stage. For those who asked, the system is SFCD1, Quicksilver V4's and Martin Logan SL3's. Thanks, I look forward to hearing more.

Hi (again) Otis; IMO the only reason the SF Line 2 sounds sort of like solid state is because of the stock Sovtek tubes. I put in a mixed set of NOS tubes in mine and it became rich, lush, full etc.-- but quite frankly, too "tubey" for me, and I preferred the more neutral sound, (and yes drier) sound of the stock Sovteks. My point is that with tube rolling, you can radically change the sound of the SF. I suspect that this is true of most/all tube pre-amps. I intend to try another NOS set that should have a less dramatic change in sound character. Cheers. Craig.