Advices for Audio Reseach Reference preamp

the LS5 is another top contender although it is all balanced inputs (you can use cheater plugs there) and can be had for a bit less - they come up on audiogon from time to time. I'd put it right up there with the Ref 2 (in a blind demo it was neck and neck)

You might also want to consider a Great Northern Sounds upgrade on your existing LS25 or an LS5 or Ref 2

You may also want to consider the LS26 which is better in overall presentation than the Ref2mkII.

I bought my Vandy 5A in Chicago from a dealer who was also a ARC dealer. Later when in the market for a good preamp (got back into vinyl) I talked to the guy who sold me my Vandys. He said the Ref2 was softer than the MkII. Maybe too much so for some systems. I don't know for sure but it seems the MkII came out fairly quickly. I had indicated that I was looking at the Ref used market, he sounded sincere saying all the Ref models were very nice preamps.

I have a Ref2 mkII and while I will likely upgrade to the Ref3 at some point I recently choose to upgrade my cartrage from a ZYX Fuji to the Universe instead.

There is a lot to be said for other ARC models just below the Ref series. But the Refs have bigger power supplies and/or more input/output flexability.

TD