Any Comparisons between VTL 7.5 & ARC Ref 3

Guidocorona: Audio Perfectionist? - or Arm chair audiofool who just reviews other reviewers reviews and makes statements about design? Wonder what fine magazines he quoted this time around?

When I borrowed a Ref 3 from my local dealer the noise floor was amazingly silent, but I still suffered from a mid bass suck out in my system with the Ref 3 (which someone suggested was the 6550c needed replacement). I have huge power noise problems so to me it was amazing that the ARC was so stone silent. Plug a CJ in and you get nothing but HISS through the speakers..

CytoCycle, if the 6550C was running out of steam, a suck out in mid bass is only the beginning of the slow spiral of 'grayness'. Next all highs would go the way of the Dodobird. Mr. Hardesty is certainly controversial. I have read some of his editorial pieces. As far as I know the article in question is an actual review, but I do not have the article in front of me to confirm. He seems to have high overall praise for all three devices discussed.

Question, Is the ARC a tube power supply or a hybrid power supply?

PS in ARC 3 is tubed to the best of my Knowledge. There is both an 6H30 and a 6550C at this time in it.

Guidocorona: "go the way of the Dodobird" I almost fell out of my chair....
Hardesty: has stated he is personal friends with ARC and VTL ....sooo and I'm not willing to pony up $110 (for 4 issues) to contribute to his rantings to find out..

At the end of this year I'll try to borrow the ARC (and I'll buy a new 6550c tube to have on hand) and I'll borrow a VTL 6.5 Mk II... and do a shoot out on my system to determine what flavor I like....

I wish we could hear from someone that has heard the VTL Mk II series...