I use LS-25 with Pass Labs X250.5 and I think this combo synergizes extremely well. Also, there is a nice difference between running ARC balanced or single ended. Balanced is always better. I tried.
I see you use B&W speakers.
FWIW, I found the X250.5 with LS-25 to work great with my B&Ws. |
Brystons work fine for me. Don't believe all the "Brihgtsun" crap. |
adamg, very timely post. I am in the market for a new preamp to mate with my Pass XA160 amps. ARC Ref3 is on my shortlist. |
I'm running the LS16 with a BAT Vk 220 SS amp. This works well also. |
I tried the LS-16 last week with my Krell amp and it had a pretty nice sound stage but was lacking in the bass and a little bright compared to my PS Audio PCA2. |
Plinius and ARC seem to go well together.I have run both a Ls 16 and a ref 3 with a Plinius SA 100 mark 3 ( balanced) and have been pretty happy with both. |
Rwwear, can you be more specific as to which Krell it is, what speakers, etc? |
I've got an ARC SP9 with GNSC Ref mods. I ran it with a Levinson 331 for many years but about a year ago I replaced the Levinson with a McCormack DNA-500. Whoa, what a step up! Amazing dynamics and depth of soundstage. Great match. |
My LS25mk2 is very happy paired with Bel Canto ref1000's. IMO a better combination than the LS25mk2 and the VS110. |
I'd recommend you try it with your Bryston for a while and see if that works for you. As an alternate, I'd try to give a listen to the ARC solid states. Some of them are quite good - D240, 100.2. You just never know what is going to sound great in your listening room. My 2c. Good luck. |
I second DNA-500.
However, one note of caution, with the 500, the input impedance of this amp is rather low at 10kohms, so careful matching with a tube preamp is a must. You can't have too high of a gain or you won't be able to finely adjust the volume. |
Similar experience as MdConnelly. I have an ARC LS-25 Mk I with GNSC Ref mods, using 4 Amperex 7308 white labels). Switched from a Levinson 333, which I had for 8 years, to a Pass X350.5 about 6 months ago, and my jaw just dropped to the floor. Speakers are Thiel 3.6
FrankC |
An ARC 300.2 should be a perfect match. I have an LS15 with the 100.2 and they work great together. I have not heard the 150 and 300 versions of this amp, but if they are anywhere near the 100.2, they are definitely worth checking out. |
Audphile1, I have a 700cx with Chario Academy 3 juniors and a Velodyne DD-15 sub. |
With my Audio Research LS3, LS25, and Reference-3 I have found that the Plinius SA-50, SA-100, SB-300 (for sale) and SA-Reference sound wonderful! |
Thanks for all your responses. However, I think I may have found a deal on a BAT vk-31se which can't be passed up. My brief search for an ARC pre has ended. |
ARC preamps have (relatively) low output impedance for tube gear and therefore can run well with many SS amps. I had a great 7 year run with the ARC Ref One and Pass Aleph 2 100w monoblocks in balanced mode; that was a terrific combination. |
ARC 100.2 Read the reviews....... Perfect for the ARC Mk1 series.... |
well to add one more thought, my dad just bought the 16 a couple weeks ago and pairs it with Classe amps and it really sounds great. |
