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ARC Ref 3 with CAT JL2 or do you need CAT SL1

To All,

I recently changed my Krell KCT with an ARC Ref 3 preamp. I like the preamp very much and am now thinking about upgrading to a tube power amp. There are a few on my list:

ARC Ref 300 or ARC Ref 600
Cat JL2 MK2

I now play with FPB700CX on Wilson Puppy 7.

Will the ARC be a good match with the CAT. Do I not loose bass. I like a strong controlled bass very much and this is why I now play with FPB700CX. How good is the CAT. Everybody says it's bass matches the big Krell amps. Is this true.

Is the SL1 a better preamp than the ARC Ref 3. I heard many people prefer the ARC ref 3. I need balanced out for my FPB700CX so I guess ARC is a better choise for my amp.

Who has compared ARC Ref 3 with CAT SL1. Does the Ref 3 match with the CAT power amps.

Peter
sprbggr
mrmb's avatar
mrmb
299 posts
 
With my Soundlab M1's, my CAT JL1's purrrrr.

Prior to the CAT's, I had a Levinson 336, choosing it over a Krell FPB 600. Both were auditioned using the Martin Logan reQuests which I owned at the time.

The CAT's were hauled home with Parasound Halo's to audition against the Levinson. After only a few minutes, the CAT's were clear winners in all areas, even bass!

I'm using s Supratek Chenin pre-amp, and am quite happy.

No reliability problems here.
klinerm
80 posts
 
I use an ARC Ref 3 with CAT JL-3 Signature Mono's. I like the combination very much. They produce prodigous bass from full-range electrostatic speakers. They are are extremely hard on tubes, but I have not had any reliability issues.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
I have not had a problem with my CAT pre or amp in terms of reliability - the amp would be a problem to ship for repair at close to 200lbs. However it must be considered in the top echelon of amplifiers of whatever topology or design. They are Ferraris and may need closer attention to tube biasing and tube quality - but that should not be too hard if you are willing to pay this much money for world class perfomance. P.S. You won't miss the bass.
catamps2c36
5 posts
 
The ARC REF 3 will work fine with any CAT power amp, even the latest Sig 2 Version of the JL2 (and JL3). I think that your concern stems from my insistance that the ARC REF 2 (TWO) was not a good preamp for use with CAT amps, because the CAT amps inherent transparency will reveal the harshness and grain of the Ref TWO all to clearly - especially if highly revealling speakers are also used.
The ARC REF 3 (THREE) however is a much more refined preamp the the TWO and therefore I regard it as a good match with our amplifiers. (Of course I have auditioned both the REF 2 and the REF 3 with CAT amps)
Yes, the SL1 will be even better (bass, transparency, dynamics, timbre) but this does not diminish the fact that the ARC REF 3 will also be a worthy match and perhaps even preferable for those who insist on a remote control preamp.
Ken Stevens
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