what ARC combo- Ref 1/Ref 110 or Ref 3/VT 100 MK3?

I second what audphile states (had ls15, ls25Mk I and II, and Ref1, and a VT 100mkII) and given above pairings, as Kschiu says, the Ref3 -> VT100MKIII would sound superb into the same speakers (assume either speaker can be drive effectively by ~100 watts push/pull 6550 quads), and better overall sound than REF1 -> Ref 110, just mho.

...Dave Mitchell this is one for you!

thanks for all the comments so far- looks like the preference is to put more $$ into the preamp than the amp

IMO LS-26/Ref 110 is the way to go. The LS26 is close enough in performance to Ref 3 to consider it as an option on a limited budget. I'm Ref 3/Ref 110 owner.

If you are building a system then I'd say get the better, more neutral pre-amp first. Ref3 is ok..