there were actually two versions of the LS-15 though never a mk2 designation...the easiest way to tell is the second version had a removeable power cord, in addition to better caps and an improved power supply...ARC used to offer the upgrade (75%) of it...
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Rather than buy an old used Audio Research, why not try something like the Schiit Freya for $699? It is balanced, tubed and if it is as over achieving as the DACs, should sound extremely good. http://www.schiit.com/products/freya |
I’ve been using the same Audio Research pre for about 25 years, and that isn’t for lack of trying at anything resembling a sane price. LS17-SE, LS27 .. dog meat compared to Filet Mignon. What is it? An Audio Research LS2 B MKII with remote volume/mute. A pretty good preamp with the AR standard issue Russian or Chinese 6DJ8 which does not do it justice in any regard. About 20 years ago I started tube rolling it, Holland, Russia, US ... 6 DJ8’s, Bugle Boys, PQ’s, most everything until I stumbled on a Siemens and Halske Cca 6922 grey plate..... OMG. I picked up a few NOS spares, which are unobtainable today but even the best of them do fade in a couple of years since they are already 50+ years old and the vacuum is somewhat compromised on almost all. I have laid in a few Russian rockets and such.. from pre coffee memory 6H23’s which I have not tried yet but spec identically and I have seen a few reviews rating them with the Siemens. I also had a Valvo Cca 6922 pinched waist which was superb but also ,,, one or two years of light use. The point being, if you can find an LS2 B..(or an LS2 if you don’t want to run balanced) MK 1 or 2, it would probably be well under $1K and it is a monster performer well out of it's price class. If I find one somewhere I’m going to send it out and get it recapped and the power supply upgraded and see what that does. |
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