McIntosh C1000 tube pre vs. ARC Ref 3?

Fast forward a few years, the ARC Ref 40 leaves the C1000 in the dust.

Which one do you think is a better match in my system, the C500T combo or the ARC 3? My system is Esoteric K01 - preamp TBD (currently my friend's Jeff Rowland Capri) - Mcintosh MC 602 - Dynaudio C4.

Googleli, The ARC 3 is no doubt a top performer, but in YOUR system the Mcintosh c500 would be a natural match to the MC602 IMO.

I think you'll find the ARC/Mac combo to be a bit more transparent. It will change the character of your sound. If you like the Mac sound, complete the circle and go Mac. If you think you need a bit more bloom and transparency, go ARC. When I added an ARC pre to a Mac amp, I liked what I heard so much, I bought an ARC amp. Completely different sound which I now greatly prefer. Your opinion may differ.

This. Is a joke??? There is not way to compare mcintosh to arc, see inside how they are build, mcintosh have maybe some really good amps but preamps are a different story, audioresearch are vastly superior, Therese both circuits designs before even compare it!!, maybe Conrad's or Vtls are comparable but Mackies are really not more than pretty looking pieces but inside are poorly made...