Has anyone heard the Ref 3?

KT88? Is this tube supposed to be a compatible replacement with 6550C? Did you experience hiss before or after the rolling in the KT88?

KT88s and 6550s are usually compatible in the same circuit. The hiss existed before and after changing tubes. This pre really sounds quite a bit better with the Genalex in my opinion.

I haven't heard the Ref 3 yet but had the LS2BMKII for years and now a tweaked LS5MKIII - I can say you'll not miss the LS2B once you step up!

Bob Wood
http://www.GreatHomeTheater.com

Looks like I'm getting a Ref 3.

Thank goodness for stock options. :o)

I own a Ref 3 and IMO it is simply the best preamp I have ever owned. Prior to that I owned a Ref 2 MK ll which I thought also to be excellent but when put up against the Ref 3 it sounded broken.

Those who pontificate about preamps rate the Ref3 as one of the top 3 in the market today--the other two being VTL 7.5 and the CJ ACT 2. Bear in mind that ARC recently did a rolling line change on the Ref 3 by adding 4 bypass caps and switching from the 6L6 tube back to a 6550C

Here is a look at the Ref 3 in my room

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vaslt&1049587927&read&3&4&

http://homepage.mac.com/imacdoyou86/PhotoAlbum52.html