Bel Canto Pre3 vs Musical Fidelity A308CR

Question for Stearnsn and Vetin02, I noticed that you went for a Pre 3, why didn't you go with the Dac3?

I went with the Pre 3 because I figured the DAC in my 5910 is pretty good. I am so happy with the sound no I have not been on audiogon for several weeks! I did order a tube pre from Odyssey that I am going to A-B-A with the Pre3 though. I'll report when I get it.

I have been auditioning the Bel Canto Ref1000 mono blocks and Dac3, Dac3 being used as the pre. I just ordered the Pre3 to hook-up in the system to see if there are any differences. I did hook up a really good tube pre in the system and I was really impressed but this pre can't stay I borrowed it from my main system along with it is just too big for the set up.

This is a second set up and has to be "wife friendly."

Stearnsn it will be interesting to read what the outcome is once you are done the AB testing.

I prefer the tube sound in my system, particularly since I added NOS CBS/Hytron tubes in the Candela. I am making some major changes next week so my answer my change.

With new active speakers the PRe3 sounds better. Go figure. I am not ready to give up on the Candela yet though. I will try it again after some speaker break-in.