ARC Ref 300 MK I or II vs. BAT VK-150se

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Well it's been a long while since I was a regular around these parts, but I'm about to do an upgrade and I would appreciate your advice because some of the stuff I'm considering is hard to get a hold of for listening.
Moving from:
ARC LS5 MK II & VT130se w/ 6h23s and Svet KT88s (awesome)
Moving to:
BAT VK-51se (never been a fan of ARC 6h30 preamps)
and here's where I need your help...
ARC Ref 300 MK I or II or BAT VK-150se or maybe even ARC REF 210s
I absolutely love the VT130se but am just looking to take things up a notch. I have never heard the Refs but have owned a lot of ARC and suspect that (based on what I think of the KT88ed VT130se) the KT88ed Ref 300 will be phenomenal.
I have spent some time with the VK-75se and love that one too but believe that the ARC may be more solid and profound in the bass region and dynamically stonger than even the 150se in ways that I may like.
Any opinions on that?
What are your thoughts on the Ref 300 I vs. II? I have not heard the last couple of generations of ARC product but I really didn't like their 6h30 applications in the preamps (thought BAT did a MUCH better job with that tube). I was not thrilled with the VT-100 MKIII vs. the older MKII either. I also preferred the all tube VT-130se over the hybrid V-70 as well. All this makes me a little wary of the Ref 300 MK II. Should I be?
And finally should I be considering the Ref 210 as the used price isn't THAT much different than the Ref 300 MK II or new BATs?
Speakers will be going from Watt/Puppy 3/2 to Watt/Puppy 8 or Maxx 1 or 2 and CD player will be Naim CD3 & CD555PS.

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Topic - ARC Ref 300 MK I or II vs. BAT VK-150se - gadsons 18:37:38 01/16/07 (2)

Re: ARC Ref 300 MK I or II vs. BAT VK-150se - rgurney 05:54:07 01/17/07 (1)

Re: ARC Ref 300 MK I or II vs. BAT VK-150se - gadsons 03:42:32 01/19/07 (0)

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