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ARC LS 25 Mk 11 Bypass

I'd like to get better "2 channel" performance out of my HT system (Bel Canto Evo 6 amp and PrePro processor, Theta CD transport). When I was at my local stereo store the salesperson recommended that I simply purchase the LS 25 Mk II. He told me that it has a "bypass" feature that will allow me to use the LS for 2 channel music and the PrePro for HT and multichannel applications...without having to move cords everytime I want to move between music and HT. I've tried to find literature on line that would explain how the wiring would work, but I've been unsuccessful. Has anyone out there done this with the LS 25 or some other preamp? If so, did you find the 2 channel sound to be substantially better than simply running it through the processor?
Thanks everyone.
riccap
oneobgyn
410 posts
 
"When running home theater through a 2 channel analog preamp, most preamps, including the ARC ls25mk2, will be processing to some minor degree the signal and thus degrade it"

Absolute nonsense ...it is a pass through and no degradation of the signal.

I use my ARC Ref 3 "Processor" input (AKA through pass) for my HT function and there is no degradation of signal
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,138 posts
 
Oneobgyn, I don't know how the processor loop works on REF3 but with the LS-25 I do beleive the signal still runs through some sort of a signal path of the preamp.
However, I'm with you that that it has no or minimal impact to the sound quality. The most improtant factor sonically here would be the quality of interconnects that is used between HT pre/pro to LS-25 and a pair from LS-25 to amp. Use good cables and you will sacrifice nothing.
riccap OP
1 posts
 
thank you everyone for your information and input. It sounds like I would enjoy a significant improvement in my 2 channel performance if I went the 2ch preamp route. Other than the ARC LS 25 and the VTL mentioned...does anyone have any other recommendations in terms of a good 2 ch. preamp that offers the "bypass" capability.

Thanks again everyone!
oneobgyn
410 posts
 
"The most improtant factor sonically here would be the quality of interconnects that is used between HT pre/pro to LS-25 and a pair from LS-25 to amp. Use good cables and you will sacrifice nothing."

as much as I am a cable tweak, I again respectfully disagree
statman's avatar
statman
285 posts
 
The Ref 3 and the LS25 MKII do the same function. They provide a "pass thru" for the signal from your HT processor. I've been running mine for over two years without a problem. That's the whole reason for having the bypass circuit is to allow the HT processor signal to run straight thru to the 2 channel preamp without being altered by the preamp?
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