check out this article that suggests there may be some joint product development between ARC and Sonus faber (since they are now both owned by the same italian private equity company - Quadrivia). They showcased their line of products with Sonus faber Elipsa and with maggies at the most recent CES....interesting

__________________
Cyril
Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
Cables/Power/Other: Nordost Heimdall ICs, SCs / Shunyata Hydra 8, Shunyata Python Helix PC / VPI 16.5, HRS Nimbus isolation system

oops...i tried attaching a PDF file and i guess it did not work. Is there a way to do that? I just used the attachment function and uploaded the pdf file from my computer but it does not look like it worked. anybody?

__________________
Cyril
Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
Cables/Power/Other: Nordost Heimdall ICs, SCs / Shunyata Hydra 8, Shunyata Python Helix PC / VPI 16.5, HRS Nimbus isolation system

Cmalak, What would you think of an ARC Ref 3 with 501's?

__________________
Speakers: Magnepan 1.7
Accuphase: E-408 180 watt integrated amp. DAC & phono boards. Accuphase DP-55V CD/DAC
MacMini music server, Ipad remote. PS Audio PPP. Kimber Hero, Kimber 8TC. Halide Bridge

wpines...i have not heard any Mac gear so I can't comment on the combination but to my ears the ARC Ref 3 is a very neutral sounding tube preamp with low noise floor, highly resolving, and flat tonal balance. No lush sounding tubiness here if that's the sound you are looking for. It does what tubes do well in spades and that's provide a wide and deep 3D soundstage with fleshed out images. Images are not flat or thin but have body and resonance. I used to have the ARC LS 26 which had all the same qualities but the Ref 3 just took those qualities and bettered them by a few notches but they are both excellent. I have not heard the Ref 5 yet but it seems that has clearly upstaged the Ref 3 on all these counts. Some people find the bass in the Ref 3 (and the Ref 110 - the first of 3 power amps in the Reference line) as being a bit lean.

Hope this helps. Will you have a chance to try the Ref 3 in your system? At the end of the day that's the only way to assess how it will sound with the rest of your system. Good luck.

__________________
Cyril
Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
Cables/Power/Other: Nordost Heimdall ICs, SCs / Shunyata Hydra 8, Shunyata Python Helix PC / VPI 16.5, HRS Nimbus isolation system

I use an ARC LS26 driving an MC402. Have to agree with cmalak, no tube lushness from the LS26. Just very neutral, transparent and dynamic.The LS26 replaced a McIntosh C45close to two years ago and I have not regretted it at all. My only concern was that the MC402 has a relatively low input impedance and I thought initially that there may be some incompatibility and frequency roll-off due to that. But I have a great local dealer and I got to play around witht he LS26 in my system for a while before I decided to buy it. The funny thing is, I've never been a "tube guy." I didn't seek out the LS26 because it was a tube preamp (actually it's a hybrid design). I had tried a few other pres in my system when I decided to upgrade and to me the LS26 was the best to my ears, not to mention my wallet! BTW, it definitely sounds better using balanced sources and run balanced to the MC402, which is also a balanced design.

__________________
MC402, AudioResearch LS26, Magnepan MG3.7R, PS AudioDLIII, ACI Force XL, Transparent, Wireworld, Tara