Has anybody heard the new Audio Research LS 27?

I'll tell you what I would like to hear, a SP-10 Mk 3, that is maximizing that circuit with the best parts and see what we end up with. I know, I know the design is a bit long in the tooth compared to today's but I wonder how much better it could be. And of course there is that great phono stage. Great Northern had several mods for this pre and stated the extreme mod would compete with anything out there, and what about the LS5? How much more could be extracted from that great line stage with current parts and a few changes? And so far as going backward who here would say that the Classic series amps were an improvement over the D series amps? Not me for sure! Now the VT series got them back on track.

I haven't heard current production other than in unfamiliar systems so I won't comment but it seems unlikely that their middle of the road line stages couldn't be more than minor changes in circuit design. There is a benefit for ARC in promoting new models rather than making revisions to existing which is to say some will want the latest and greatest, not a bash on ARC but I don't particularly care for this approach, preying on the known insecurities of audiophiles:)

I also want to make it clear that I have great respect for ARC. They have been most instrumental in the renaissance of tube amplification and a clear cut front runner in cutting edge design since their inception. I have owned 4 ARC products over the years and all have been enjoyable and satisfying. It is their marketing practice methods only I bring into question, I find it very calculated to sell more product. If others don't mind there are those that do and this is a valid point to bring up especially in their mid priced product line.

Efner, this isn't about capitalism it is about ARC's perceived marketing model and how some see it. Your comment about ARC's new offerings effecting resale values and ARC not caring, I'm not too sure they don't care. If the resale value plummets on older products when new ones come out after a period of time folks may come to a conclusion that ARC doesn't offer the best value for the prices they charge. Obviously this doesn't seem to be the case as there always seem to be a demand for their used products for folks unable or unwilling to pay for new.

Bottom line kind of a Cavaet Emptor, buyer "be aware" as some past ARC customers here have become. I hear you Knghifi and agree. This isn't to say that at some point in the future I wouldn't purchase a new ARC product if I felt it offered what I was looking for at a price I could afford to pay. But I think you hit the nail on the head with

"It's YOUR purchasing decision. There is NO penalty in NOT making the purchase unless they nationalized the audio industry like health care"

except the health care part. Some things really grate on us heh? But this isn't about health care it is about audio so maybe we should keep things on point and not get off track with such polarizing subjects interjected in this discussion with no clear point. It seems we're having a difficult time enough with this simple little issue of a small company and their marketing practices.

I have done a bit of research on the differences between the LS26 and LS27, trying to read between the lines but I really couldn't determine anything substantially different other than a beefier power supply and different parts. It seems the chassis is a little deeper as well but the circuit is basically the same. The LS27 also weighs less. As the owner of a 10 lb amp I don't hold much weight that weight matters but power supplies and filter capcitance sure do which usually add some weight. All accounts seem to attest that the LS27 is a step above the LS26 in listening impressions.

My question to Hifigeek1 as you seem to be quite familiar with the circuit designs of ARC products in general. Is there a REAL difference in the circuits between the LS26 and LS27 or just modest changes in parts and power supply? Your comments about the 6H30 tube and an improvement over the 6922, greater transconductance I presume which surely would benefit the sonics subjectively. I can only imagine if this tube were implemented in an SP-10 with its tube regulation and quite large power supply. This is MY point and Onhwy61's as well. I don't want to come across as bashing ARC, I'm not. A healthy ARC is a good thing for the audio industry but the point is that there really doesn't seem to me to be anything revolutionary over the past 25 years in the design of their products although there is little doubt that there have been incremental improvements based on refinements more than radical new approaches, outside the box thinking, if you will. Just curious on your thoughts.

"Simply replacing a few parts with newer parts on an old obsolete piece of equipment, will never outdo a new one if the new one's design is different and better."

Funny thing about old obsolete equipment, I was just listening the other day to a friend's "obsolete" highly modified SP-10 Mk 2 with his "obsolete" modded D-115 Mk2. Now I'm not going to say it is up to the latest offerings from this esteemed company but this system is highly evolved and emminently musical and enjoyable, I say the devil is in the details. btw, is it real yet? No doubt it sounds great, happy listening!