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Audio Research LS28/SE, Ref 5/SE … what do you like better?

It’s time for me to upgrade my preamp and I have heard both LS 28SE and Ref 5SE  and was very impressed by the following:

-  Full bodied, lifelike, soulful vocals

- Resonant, warm, engaging wood instruments 

- Top end accuracy, without edginess

- Clarity around each instrument 

 

I have listened to a few different preamps in comparison to the AR’s (Margules 220SF 20th Anniversay Edition, VAC Signature Renaissance Mk 4, VTL 7.5 Mk2 and direct via the preamp in my dCS Rossini DAC) but each of these fell short of the AR’s.

Knowing what I like sonically (see above) is there anything that I should try to hear before pulling the plug on one of the AR’s? My budget is under $10,000 Used or $15-18,000 New.

System comprises Raidho D3.1 speakers, VTL S150 amp, dCS DAC/Streamer, Jay’s Audio Transport.

 

PLEASE only respond if you have heard/own an Audio Research LS 28/28SE or REF 5/5SE.

 

 

naperaudio

Showing 1 response by lewisranchmike

lewisranchmike's avatar
lewisranchmike
3 posts
 

I went from Ref5SE to Ref6 and or was a real good upgrade and worth the money. I usually go in stages so I next upgraded phono stage from Ref2SE to Ref10 Phono. Another good upgrade. So the point is to do small incremental upgrades to different components.   
 

maybe next year go back and upgrade from Ref6 to Ref6SE. I use money invested in current component to help upgrade to next component. Have been doing this for years

 

actually looking back I started with LS17, next LS17SE, then Ref3, followed by Ref5SE, finally Ref6:0)

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