I have heard most ARC Pre Amps since the Ref 2 with Mark Levinson SS and currently use this combination. Something from the 400 series can be had for a reasonable price on the secondary market. 436 or 434 mono blocks work real nice. I personally do not like anything from the 500H series.

Also have heard good things about Pass Labs but have never heard this combination. In the next couple years I would like to hear this combination as it interests me.

I used a ref5 and now a ref5se with a pair of xa100.5, and it's magic. Great synergy with both.

It sounds like Pass is worth looking into. Thank you for your feedback.

I decided to try a BAT VK-250SE and see how it matches. Should arrive tomorrow.

I am using an Ayre XV-5 SS amp with my ARC Ref 5SE with great results. This was a recommendation made by my ARC/Ayre dealer. I was able to audition both in my system before purchasing.

Very good combo :thumbsup: The two house sounds are known to work together well. Congrats!

Thanks. I am listening to them both now as I type this.

When I had my Strads, I found SS amps worked better. Tubes just can't seem to control the 2x 10" woofers as well - bass was a tad slow and big.
My preamp too was a REF3 then. If you like your current sound, maybe explore the possibility of upgrading your REF3 to the REF5SE first. IME, better resolution, low end definition and control without changing too much of what you are getting now - tonally.

Going to use my AR Ref-3 with a Plinius SA-250 MKII Power Amplifier.

For sure, given your budget I'd suggest Parasound (JC-1 mono's) and the various offerings from Plinius (I'm still in love with my SA102)