Audio Research LS 3 question

I wonder if there is anything new on this problem.

I just picked-up an LS-3a. It's a very nice sounding preamp, but I'm suffering from the same "Popping" issues that y'all identify." If the mute is off, then all the other two toggles POP when activated. Once mute is on (with a loud pop), then the other two switches are quiet. To me, that is an indication that the issue is likely inherent in the LS-3 and not a matching problem with the amp(s). Moreover, I read an ARC post somewhere that advised using Mute to avoid other popping. As stated, the pops are loud and disconcerting. I have a tape recorder and switching between monitor and source is really not feasible. (I can put the deck output straight to an unused source and avoid the noise, but give up up the recording option.)

I emailed ARC who said "send it in for repair". I contacted an authorized repair facility, they said they had experienced the issue with other ARC stuff, but not the LS-3: so "send it in for repair."

Repair is not really an option. I'm facing a likely $500 service charge for a preamp that has a market value of $700-$800; and, I think nobody is going to fix this issue. 

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I have received the Sp16l back from ARC with no problem found. I discussed in length with Chris, ARC servive mgr who told me the same things as what their manual stated in Statman post above. Is it true that tube pre-amp by nature will have some kind of DC leakage and if the power amp designs without DC decoupling capacitors will not be compatable with ARC pre-amp. As customers who spend our hard earn money, don't we deserve to know these "blame game" from the hi-end industry. They leave the consumers in the dark with trial and error bumpy road and that is BS.

It's an on going thing with ARC preamps. I have a LS-25MK II and the mute when switched on "pops". I am using a Levinson 335. It did not "pop when using ARC's amp which was a 100.2 at at he time.Here is what is printed in the LS25 manual.

"Some solid state amplifiers have a DC offset present at their input connections.(This of course should not be.)Operation of the manual mute switch with such an amplifier connected will result in a click or a pop in your loudspeaker (commensurate in level with the amount of the offset) each time the switch is activated. Repair or replacement of such amplifiers is suggested".

Rsjm80, there is a LS9 SS on sale on Audiogon today. Interesting enough, the seller is honest enough to disclosure the POP with MUTE function. My SP16L brand new bought will be at ARC next Wednesday. I probably will list it for sell after the check-up.

This is the deal. Why there sre so many people complaint abt the ARC pre with that " MUTE" on POP. This is not an isolated incident. Must be the way they engineered their products that may or may not compatible with certain SS amp. I have searched Audio Asylum and there was or were similiar thread(s) abt ARC vacum tube pre and SS amp having the same issue(s). No,since I did not want to ship my brand new unit across the nation at the risk of shipping damage by UPS ( sorry, brown brothers), I have spent uncessary money in ICs, surge protection, Speaker cables...you name it and that darned POP won't go away. This coming Friday, I will take my change to ship it to ARC and hopefully they will carefully check it out and have it fixed. Will keep you posted how ARC handles this POP issue.

Andrew, read your post did you ever find out what was wrong with the pre amp? What you posted sounded alot like my instance too becuse it only happen to me at home.

Rsjm80, see my post about POP noise, please. tks.