Micro,
what cables did you use between the 18NS and the 108 when you did that preamp comparison?
and regarding phono performance between both pre's, how was that?
Mike,
I used the DartZeel supplied 50 ohm cable (10m) and currently I am using a Kimber KS1036 XLR XLR 6m long between the REF40 and the NHB 108. The appearance of the Audio Research REF phono 2 was was one the reasons I reverted to ARC - at that time I felt that I preferred the Phono2. The REF5 was in my view different, but not better than the DartZeel. But the REF Anniversary seemed to be a reasonable jump.
AFAIK, one owner of an NHB 458 also owns an ARC Phono 2 REF SE, but keeps the NH18NS.