What a better pre-amp Arc Ls-27 or Ref-3

Gary (Hifigeek), please explain how the Ref 3 can be updated?? Is the update ARC approved? I ask because a friend who bought my Ref 3 might be interested. Thanks.

Bifwynne. Please have your friend email me for details. 8o)

I have a rare REF3 LE that i had it through Steve Huntley when purchased new. The power supply was beefed up with another bank of premium caps (BG's) mounted on an acrylic board. Somewhat similar to what ARC is offering now with their SE upgrades. All resistors in the signal path have been replaced with Caddock's and some Vishay's and other mods i forget about. The only thing i do not have are the teflon coupling caps ARC is now installing with their SE upgrades. Those are proprietary so i would have to go with premium Vcaps.
If only money was no object!!!
I had him do similar mods for my REF2 Phono, DAC7, CL120's, but again, minus the teflon caps.
A sonic marvel.
I'm sure that HifiGeek can do as good a mod job as GNSC whether approved by ARC or not who cares! Personally, I didn't.
Steve has ceased modding ARC products a few months ago.
A shame. RIP GNSC.

Steve is a long time friend and he recommends me. There were very few Ref3's made that were designated Limited Edition.

Very few indeed and half of those were sold in North America. The other half were made for the European and Asian markets. Words on the street say that the last 20 REF3's ever made were "badged" LE.