http://kahlaudio.com/products/audio-research-ls-15-tube-stereo-preamp-high-achieving-inexpensive-pre... appears it was only $1,500 new - so $1,300 now is a lot I like Audio Research and have the LS25 Mk II, paired with a Sunfire SS amp |
I like my Audio Research LS25 Mk II and think it is a real gem, but I'd be wary of downrating the LS27 (which I have not heard) without ensuring the tubes were good, it had been warmed up, and that everything else was the same in the system. Then I'd do some blind testing... I do have a couple of ergonomic quibbles on the MkII I own: - the remote is balky and a new one is expensive - I like the old knobs best (not the earliest black ones) - this unit has knobs that _look_ like the early (1970s) ones, but they are really just twist and hold things. I understand why they did that, but part of an expensive piece of audio equipment is ergonomics & looks. Those contribute to the aesthetic experience, which after all, is what you are buying. - this unit lacks an hour meter for the time on the tubes which some newer ARC gear has I DO like the toggle switches - much nicer than the push buttons on newer units. A good pre-amp will be a lot more rewarding that some woo-woo cable changes. And BTW, serious audiophile equipment should use XLR balanced cables - the ARC does of course. |
