Audio Research LS 26 vs REF 3 preamps

I had an LS 25 few year ago and was told it was close to a ref one. Later on i bought a ref one and i feel the LS 25 was not that much closer...
Maybe the same rule apply for the LS 26 compare to the ref 3.
Why you don't search for a good used REF 2 MK1 OR MK2 ???
also final result may depend a lot on tubes rolling...
P.S. Now i am expecting to upgrade from a CJ 17 TO A CJ 16 but this is an another story and also a matter of taste.

I had an LS 25 few year ago and was told it was close to a ref one. Later on i bought a ref one and i feel the LS 25 was not that much closer...
Maybe the same rule apply for the LS 26 compare to the ref 3.
Why you don't search for a good used REF 2 MK1 OR MK2 ???
also final result may depend a lot on tubes rolling...
P.S. Now i am expecting to upgrade from a CJ 17 TO A CJ 16 but this is an another story and also a matter of taste.

I just purchased a LS 26. I auditioned a Ref 3 and a LS 17. I thought the LS 26 was the sweet spot in the line. To me, it's 95% of the Ref. 3 and the LS 17 was about 85% of the LS 26. Very nice preamp indeed. Totally changed my system. Amps that I thought were not very good, suddenly became very nice! There's just something to a great tube active linestage.

Hi, what kind of amp and speakers are you using with the ls 26 ??? thanks for the input.

In the amps listed, one of them (which I'll not tell)was the one I was thinking wasn't one of my better amps.
1.Channel Islands D200 Monos
2.Custom KT 88 tube amp running in Single ended Ultralinear
3.Halcro MC 20
4.H2O mono signature

Since installing the LS 26 all amps sound as if they are a completely different amps. Speakers are Audio Physic Scorpios. Source is a Cary 306 SACD. It's a very good synergy. I've had a lot of audio gear and the ARC LS 26 (along with VH Audio cables) have impressed me the most of anything audio in a long time!