Amp/Preamp Asylum

Posted by frippneno on May 10, 2007 at 06:34:12

Looking for opinions on preamps. Will be driving an upgraded/modded Adcom 555mkII into Legacy 'Classic' or 'Focus' towers. I found a couple of excellent condition used items - an Audio Research LS3 for $700.00 and a Plinius M12 for $1200.00. Both are in my price range - don't know much about either model. Opinions, thoughts, recommendations?
TIA.

• I have a LS3B - G Squared 10:15:33 05/11/07 (0)
  In Reply to: AR LS3 vs Plinius M12 posted by frippneno on May 10, 2007 at 06:34:12:

  It is an excellent preamp. The price seems a little high. I paid approx. $500 about 1-1/2 years ago.
  
  

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• Re: AR LS3 vs Plinius M12 - Bambi B 08:50:27 05/11/07 (2)
  In Reply to: AR LS3 vs Plinius M12 posted by frippneno on May 10, 2007 at 06:34:12:

  frippneno,

  I've been using an Audio Research LS3 with an ARC D130 as the centre of my office system for since Summer 2005. This are my first serious solid state components- I've been using tube gear since 1985.

  The most prominent feature of the LS3 is it's extreme neutrality- it's extremely revealing of it's sources. When I use a 1965 McIntosh MR67 tube tuner, the system sounds like a lush, deep tube system and with the Cambridge Audio 640C CDP it's slightly dry and digital.

  The $700 for the LS3 is a bit high, unless these are being "discovered" and the prices are rising. It really is an excellent preamp if the neutrality/revealing aspects are considered.

  With the Adcom 555/II, which can be slightly hard, if tubes are a possibility, for your $1200 limit, you might want to consider an Audio Research LS15 with it's 4- 6922s and replace the tubes with Bugle Boy 6DJ8s. The LS15 does everything well,and along with the LS5 and LS25 are to me the most pleasing ARC line stages. If you're a bit more adventurous, I'd recommend a good ARC SP8 revision 4 to 7 (or "MKII") and then you've got an all-tube preamp with phono stage that with tube choices can be lush and deep or bright and punchy. I've used an SP8 since 1985 and it's probably the only piece of gear I'll never part with. this would be 20+ year old piece of stuff, but the construction quality is such I 'll bet there will be SP8s going strong at age 80! I'm strongly considering replacing the LS3 with the SP8 for the office system- I'll see when the McIntosh MR67 and then the MR77 are back from overhauls.

  Cheers,

  Bambi B

  
  
  

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  • You hit the nail on the head regarding the ARC LS3 - jea48 13:45:39 05/11/07 (0)
    In Reply to: Re: AR LS3 vs Plinius M12 posted by Bambi B on May 11, 2007 at 08:50:27:

    The most prominent feature of the LS3 is it's extreme neutrality- it's extremely revealing of it's sources. When I use a 1965 McIntosh MR67 tube tuner, the system sounds like a lush, deep tube system and with the Cambridge Audio 640C CDP it's slightly dry and digital.

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  • Re: AR LS3 vs Plinius M12 - frippneno 09:15:28 05/11/07 (0)
    In Reply to: Re: AR LS3 vs Plinius M12 posted by Bambi B on May 11, 2007 at 08:50:27:

    Thank you for the thoughtful and informative response. My previous experience with tubed components has been limited at best, but I have not found my ears to be thoroughly attuned to the 'tube' sound. I will take your advice into careful consideration before I make my purchase. Thanks again.
    
    

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• Don't know about the Plinius, but that LS3 is at the high end of typical selling prices - David S. 10:10:54 05/10/07 (1)
  In Reply to: AR LS3 vs Plinius M12 posted by frippneno on May 10, 2007 at 06:34:12:

  Unless the LS3 is one of the rare versions with balanced output & remote (LS3-BR), $700 is about top dollar on the used market. That's not to say the LS3 isn't an excellent line stage (I owned one and am still a big fan). You should be able to find a non-remote LS3 for just a bit over $500 all day long.
  
  
  

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  • Thanks. I thought that about the LS3 price, too. nt - frippneno 11:29:47 05/10/07 (0)
    In Reply to: Don't know about the Plinius, but that LS3 is at the high end of typical selling prices posted by David S. on May 10, 2007 at 10:10:54:

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