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

Hello, I have the opportunity to buy MBL 5011 and ARC REF 3 for a great price. I cannot demo or audition them so I would like to get the opinion of the people who have/had/tried them in their systems. My listening preferences are jazz, classical (orchestra, chamber or solo piano) music. The rest o my system:

Esoteric x-3se cdp
Plinius sb301 amp
Egglestone Andra II speakers
Stealth Metacarbon Ics (RCA)
Stealth Dream Petite (bi-wired) speaker cables

Any advice is highly appreciated. Please do not bother with recommendations to demo/audition them because it is out of the possibility.
denon1
kusina
78 posts
 
I have owned and appreciated the MBL 5011. It is a very fine preamp, and close to the flagship 6010D in sound quality, though not as resolving. I eventually traded it in for two reasons: it lacks a balance control and its output impedance of 100 ohms, though relatively low, is still too high for getting the best out of my amp (a Burmester 911 Mk3).
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cyclonicman
693 posts
 
TVAD, I was not aware of how many tubes were in the Ref3 or the replacement cost from Audio Research. I have a REF 1, which uses 8 6922/7308 tubes and nos tubes such as Siemens, Valvo or Tungsram can be close to $1,000. So if it is only $330 to replace the tubes on the Ref 3, than you guys are right, as it should not be too much of a concern. The Ref 1 is a superb preamp and from what I have read, the Ref 3 leaves it in the dust!
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,182 posts
 
contact Tboooe. he had both preamps. I am sure he wouldn't mind sharing his thoughts. REF3 is a good preamp and I think if you are listening to a lot of large scale orchstral it may serve you well. Tboooe kept MBL. But I believe his taste in music is small ansamble jazz and vocals and not a lot of large scale classical. But do contact him. Also read through his system page he shares his thoughts there in regards to both units.

Best of luck!
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