help me decide: VTL 7.5 or ARC Ref 3

Tboooe, I had both pre's and preferred the ARC, sold the 7.5. I did recently hear VTL 5.5 MK2 and actually preferred it over my recent 7.5, my 7.5 was the original and apparently the MK2 is suppose to be an improvement.

You really need to have it in your own system and not go by what others have to say because your system will be different sounding than mine and others.

I have on order a Supratek Sauv. line stage that is suppose to be better than my Ref3, I guess I will find out.

Regarding what Audioorcle said, I have not personally heard the Cary SLP 05 in my own system but in others and what I heard was a great pre. I also want to hear this in my system. The AMR cd player that he mentioned is also suppose to be amazing, the build is absolutely top notch, the information that I have received is that this one piece unit is bettering allot of expensive players costing up to $12k. This could be a real bargain at $8500 list if true. I will have to get one and try it out also but a little down the road.

Hi guys: one question. What is an AMR player ?
Thanks for clarification.

Thanks for the info about AMR. I just want to point at Ayon Audio Polaris pre amp. A friend of mine just exchenged his VTL 7.5 with the Ayon Polaris - MILES better (MUCH wider and deeper sondstage, better timing, better musical flow, MUCH more transparent, nicer hights and much more natural mids). Can´t comment on the ARC.

IMO the newest version of the 7.5 is not even in the same class as the ARC 3. The 7.5 killed the ARC in my auditioning experiences. There is also a dramatic price difference between these two pieces that is being overlooked here. The ARC 3 is really more on par with the 6.5, both soundwise and pricewise.

At this level though you really can't go wrong with any of these pieces. They are are excellent, and make making a final decision very difficult.