Has anyone Upgraded their ARC preamp


I'm currently running an ARC Ls-25 and I'm thinking about upgrading to a Ref-3. The only problem is I have never heard one. I have heard the MKII version of my pre-amp and I didn't like it. I also heard the LS-26 was very mechanical and not musical. Is the Ref-3 a very musical pre-amp. I don't want to sell my pre-amp and then be disappointed.
taters
hifimaniac...i understand where you are coming from. enjoy the great setup.

toetap..it's all good in the neighborhood :-)

and now back to the OP's original programming...
Toetapfactor, That was an interesting display of ignorance not to mention your inability to read. I was referring to Audio Research hybrid preamps. And if you can't hear the difference it is most likely poor system resolution or poor hearing.
Toetapfactor, I was taking your comments personal until I looked back on comments you made on other threads to find you are rude to most everyone. I also noticed you have no feedback. You have never bought anything here and you have never sold anything here. You are somewhat of a leech. You are not contributing anything, including constructive comments. Instead your comments are insulting.

If you read my post you would have noticed my comments were about Audio Research HYBRID preamps. Do you know what a HYBRID preamp is? Many Audio Research HYBRID preamps are more solid state than tube. The LS-25MKII in fact uses JFET drivers followed by a cathode follower.

These HYBRID preamps are the ones I am referring to. They sound ok after being turned on for a while, but by the end of the evening they are sounding better and by day 3 they are sounding their best. This may not matter to you since you may have never owned a preamp of this quality, but I am sure it matters to other members.