 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
198.53.47.96
has anybody here moved from the LS-25 to the new LS-26 and what were your observations or perceived benefits?Just looking for feedback in assisting in the commiting of basically twice the funds on my next preamp.
I have not owned an ARC preamp before but have read numerous times that mate well with Bryston amps. Looking for detail/realism over a "tubey" sound.
Follow Ups:
If you looking for a better tube preamp from ARC, not too much tube sound and not SS like, you should try LS5 MKII, I think it's the best ARC preamp has ever produced.
as I hope to audition both the 26 & 17 this weekend. Unfortunately it cannot be done at home but the dealer has my amp and can provide a number of speakers for choices.The 26 lists at 50% more ($6K Vs $4K) over the 17 so we'll have to see if its value (at least on my "value meter") is worth the significant upcharge
IME, different room, systems, etc. can yield different results. I’m with Kuma on trying to get an in-home demo before deciding (especially if you’re buying new).Some random (less than useless) thoughts:
· I recall a recent posting from “devildaugmom?” with the similiar concerns and believe she found an ARC dealer willing to ship.
· Never heard one, but believe the older ref2 falls somewhere in between the LS-26 and LS-17. Something to consider if going used.
· I did a brief a/b of the LS-17 and LS-26, but am not sure if the LS-17 was warmed up or came straight out of the box with no burn-in. To me, the LS-17 shares the same tonal balance as the LS-26, REF3, the soundstage is more restricted, less transparent, and images were less defined. Again, too quick and too many variables to say for sure.
Believe what your ears say - not hearsay.
It's not like you are casually assessing various hardware.
I mean, the source, cables and speaker choices matter a lot. Not to mention your room.If I were in the market for a preamp, ( and they are costlier ones at that ! )I would insist on on a home demo or I'd walk.
It's your money.
trying to be as well informed as I can be before visiting him. He has my amp but not my speakers on hand. I'll get a handle on one unit versus the other that day and hopefully make as sound a judgement call as I can. I'm of the opinion that unless a product is significantly discounted there should be a restocking option albeit at some cost to the purchaser.
I've had stuff sent to my home sometimes, but I already had a relationship established with a dealer.Good luck with your decision.
I suppose restocking fee on a returned item is fair and I understand dealer not wanting to ship a tube gear.Good luck with your decision and it'll work out for you.
IME, ARCs’ general house tends to be on the dry to neutral side or amongst the least tubey compared to other brands. I’ve spent some time with the LS-26 as well as both version of the LS-25 at length in the past. None of them are tubey sounding. The LS-25 mk2 is the driest or least warm, the LS-25 mk1 is the warmest, and the LS-26 falling in between in terms of tubeyness.Head to head, the LS-25 Mk1 (w/ 6922) was warmer with more liquidity, 3d-iness, and bloom, but slower, less transparent, dynamic and extended than the LS-25 Mk2. The Mk2 (w/ 6h30) produces just enough liquidity, 3-d, bloom to differentiate them, but the dynamics, frequency extension, transient speed are more akin to a solid state pre. The LS-26 is a step up in transparency and detail from either version of the LS-25 with a tonal balance that is more richer sounding than the LS-25 mk2 and less than the LS-25 mk1. Of the three, the LS-26 would get my vote for “best in group” in terms of performance and tonal balance.
Believe what your ears say - not hearsay.
I've listend to one along with an LS17 on an ATC active speakers.They both still had the ARC sound. This, of course, can be good or bad depending on your sonic leaning.
Neither had the midrange I look for but I actually prefer the cheaper LS17 over the costlier 26. Details/resolution, of course were better on the 26, but I felt that the 17 timed better. A bit more upbeat with a good dynamics for the money.
I'm not sure what you mean by realism exactly, but Art Audio's VPS/DM had more natural and organic presence in the midband than either preamps.
Nagra PLL mentioned by other poster might be an interesting thing.
I own this preamp. It's a leaner sounding valve amp and does not offer an archetypical valve sound, but it has more of natural feel than ARC preamps I have heard thus far. ( LS17,26, Ref 1 & 2 )All these preamps have a different presentation and realise their performance vary greatly depending on which amp they drive, so if you can, a home audition with your own amplifier is a must.
I have not heard the new LS26 but everything I have heard about it has been very positive. I was not very enthusiastic about LS25 II. Like you I don't want an overtly tubey sound but the LS25 II just sounded too much like a SS preamp. I preferred The Nagra PL-L to the LS25 II, equally transparent but not as dry.
Our impressions are similar. The Nagra was the first active linestage that proved to me an active could better a passive. To me, is in the best of the best class of the very select few that does what a passive does with the added advantages of an active tube linestage.The LS-25 Mk2 sounds more like a solid than a tube unit and actually more so than many solids. The whole concept of voicing a tube unit w/o some tube qualities or so akin to solid has me really stuck on stupid. I know the differences between solid and tube units are getting blurrier, but can’t come up with a reason to create a tube unit that sounds like a solid. Incurring the tube overhead (maintenance, retubing cost, etc.) of a tube unit that sounds like a solid, if a solidstate unit can provide the same effects w/o the overhead doesn’t make sense to me. I guess ARC felt the same and gave the newer LS-26 and REF3 some soul.
Believe what your ears say - not hearsay.
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
