What type of sound are you after?
Colored or neutral?
If you want neutrality then the REF3/VT is the way to go.
In my opinion, REF1 will totally defeat the purpose of REF110.
I'd rather go for the LS-25MkII/REF110 combo. Or REF2MkII/REF110 if you can do that. REF1 is a "sweet" sounding preamp with huge soundstage and a lot of bass, but it is pretty colored with heavy, slow bottom. Not the best if you're thinking about getting a neutral preamp that will let your source shine through. In my mind, REF1 is not the ARC's best preamp. Not very close to reality in its timbral shades. I would go as far as saying that I would get the LS-25 or LS-25MkII instead. Don't get me wrong, if you like colored sound, with lots of mids and slow and heavy bottom(if your system lacks these abilities this may be the way to fix it), go for REF1. Otherwise, steer clear.
JMO.
Colored or neutral?
If you want neutrality then the REF3/VT is the way to go.
In my opinion, REF1 will totally defeat the purpose of REF110.
I'd rather go for the LS-25MkII/REF110 combo. Or REF2MkII/REF110 if you can do that. REF1 is a "sweet" sounding preamp with huge soundstage and a lot of bass, but it is pretty colored with heavy, slow bottom. Not the best if you're thinking about getting a neutral preamp that will let your source shine through. In my mind, REF1 is not the ARC's best preamp. Not very close to reality in its timbral shades. I would go as far as saying that I would get the LS-25 or LS-25MkII instead. Don't get me wrong, if you like colored sound, with lots of mids and slow and heavy bottom(if your system lacks these abilities this may be the way to fix it), go for REF1. Otherwise, steer clear.
JMO.