Audio Research Ref 3 VS Mark Levinson 38s


Im thinking about upgrading my preamp. Right now i have the Mark Levinson 38s preamp. What will be the differences in sound between them. Would this be upgrade ? 
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xtattooedtrackman

Showing 4 responses by tattooedtrackman

minorl , that was good reading from you , yes the 380s was an upgrade from the 38s. I was considering at one time upgrading my 38s to the 380s but i thought it might be somewhat kinda close in comparison to spend the extra $$$$. That is why i was thinking of the ARC Ref 3. 
4425, jim_swantko   Would you please list your variety of reasons you would go with the ML 326s over the ARC Ref 3? I really would like my next preamp purchase be my last . Thanks...
Thank you all for your sound thoughts and advice. For those of you that said let your ears decide and listen to both would be impossible . I am lucky enough to buy one of these preamps let alone 2 and listen to them both to compare. That is out of the question. Now the question is ARC REF 3 or ML 326s . Would the ML 326s be worth the extra 2 grand or so ? 
Im thinking about the ARC Ref 3 with the speakers i have being the B&W 800 matrix. The majority of the music i listen to is classic rock. That being said, alot of classic rock recordings are not the best. I think introducing a tube preamp to my system will take some edge off the recordings.