ARC Ref 3 or VTL 6.5?

Don't you love how much great product is available today? Also the value of some of the 2nd from top equipment that receive trickle down technology is incredible. It can often be a waiting game to get the technology in a lower priced package. No one can truly proclaim a best, but they can make a recommendation for best value.

Right on Dgad!

The ARC is a stunningly good preamp! On top of that, I have found that VTL has awful customer service. G. Garfield

I can also vouch for the fact that the customer service at ARC is second to none

I've had the opposite experience with VTL. I've called or Emailed Bea two or three times with questions and was handled very professionally and quickly. I haven't dealt with ARC customer support in several years, but my experience was that while efficient, they were not particularly folksie and the repairs were extremely expensive. As I said, I haven't worked with ARC in a long time, so my experience may not reflect the current state of affairs. However, I've had nothing but good will and superb sound from my VTL product.