Has anyone Upgraded their ARC preamp

Did you hear the MKII version of your preamp and the LS-26 in your system? Were they broken-in and fully warmed up? It has been my experience Audio Research hybrid preamps require 3 days warm up to sound their best.

I have never heard an Audio Research preamp sound mechanical unless it was not warmed up or not broken in. I have always been amazed at how many folks have come to the conclusion they do not like a product without sufficient break-in and warm up. Maybe the third owner actually gets the fully broken-in component and full enjoyment at a discounted price.

Ever since Audio Research developed the hybrid preamp the tubes were given a long, 10,000 hour, tube life whether it was a 6DJ8H, 6922 or the current 6H30. You can leave these preamps powered up 24/7 and only replace the tubes once a year, 24 hrs. x 365 days = 8760 hrs. This is a small price to pay for the improvement in sound.

Toetapfactor, That was an interesting display of ignorance not to mention your inability to read. I was referring to Audio Research hybrid preamps. And if you can't hear the difference it is most likely poor system resolution or poor hearing.

Toetapfactor, I was taking your comments personal until I looked back on comments you made on other threads to find you are rude to most everyone. I also noticed you have no feedback. You have never bought anything here and you have never sold anything here. You are somewhat of a leech. You are not contributing anything, including constructive comments. Instead your comments are insulting.

If you read my post you would have noticed my comments were about Audio Research HYBRID preamps. Do you know what a HYBRID preamp is? Many Audio Research HYBRID preamps are more solid state than tube. The LS-25MKII in fact uses JFET drivers followed by a cathode follower.

These HYBRID preamps are the ones I am referring to. They sound ok after being turned on for a while, but by the end of the evening they are sounding better and by day 3 they are sounding their best. This may not matter to you since you may have never owned a preamp of this quality, but I am sure it matters to other members.