ARC REF 3 or MBL 5011 - what is better buy?

Unless I missed it, it seems that nobody even considered that the MBL is solid state while the REF 3 is a tubed preamp. I personally love the sound of tube preamps, but eventually you will have to replace the tubes which can hit the $1,000 range for excellent quality tubes. Vacuum tube equipment is a whole other universe which eventually will lead you down the road of tube rolling, etc. etc. You need to consider whether you want to walk down that road.

I bought my replacement set of ARC original factory supplied tubes for my Ref.3, tested and matched, for $330 nett.

Have to agree with Tvad, having lived with the Ref.3 for 3yrs previously, they are good partnered with SS amp--but not the greatest. Though given the choice (having briefly encountered a 6010D in a friend's system), I'd still opt for the Ref.3. IMO, they are still one of the best value pre-amp available today (considering price to sound performance ratio). Especially buying used, I believe that you'll preserve most of your dollars invested upon reselling.

If you love the sound of Plinius why not also try out their pre to maximize design synergy?

Glide3, my Flora has a Mundorf caps and I rolled tubes and now have NOS Tung Sol Round plates that considerd one of the best. But even with that, I feel that some transparency missing. Dont get me wrong, it ia a great pre-amp for the moeny, but I think it is has limitations. Does anybody had/have the the chance to listent MBL5011? Based on the couple reviews I found, the MBL5011 is better than ARC REF 3.

Have you researched Room Treatments?

I would look towards sorting your room out before swapping electronics. I own Andra IIs and it's been my experience that they can sound congested in a too small or too bright room.