My experience with the C-5xe found it exhibited less smearing and improved mid bass when run with balanced cables into a true balanced line stage. Overall, an improvement in clarity. I experimented with identical RCA and XLR ICs and the difference was easy to hear. Maybe Serquei can re-terminate that Indra ;->
If you haven't seen it already, you might check MarcM's Soundstage comparo of the Ref3 and VTL TL 7.5 series 1 - he used both with a couple different Lamm amps. It looks like VTL has changed the voltage gain on the series 2, so maybe now it could fit with your 1.2s. While you're looking, I'll suggest considering the 2 box Atma-Sphere MP-1 linestage - with or without its optional phono section (which I'm willing to bet will turn the ear of more than a few IO owners. :-)
Is your tone arm cable terminated w/ XLR fittings?
Regards and happy new year,
Tim
If you haven't seen it already, you might check MarcM's Soundstage comparo of the Ref3 and VTL TL 7.5 series 1 - he used both with a couple different Lamm amps. It looks like VTL has changed the voltage gain on the series 2, so maybe now it could fit with your 1.2s. While you're looking, I'll suggest considering the 2 box Atma-Sphere MP-1 linestage - with or without its optional phono section (which I'm willing to bet will turn the ear of more than a few IO owners. :-)
Is your tone arm cable terminated w/ XLR fittings?
Regards and happy new year,
Tim