Hi Marlin, Since I first posted the question, I've since changed the original tubes.I think part of the problem was that the original Sovtek were old and on the way out. I've replaced the tubes with NOS Amperex 7308 and they just changed everything. The LS5 MKIII is a tremendous preamp. I did have the occassion to hear the LS25 MkII at a dealer who happended to have it hooked up to the same speakers I have. It wasn't an exact A-B test, but as close as I was going to get. My impression of the LS25 was that it was more sterile than the LS5. The LS5 just offers more midrange magic than the LS25, IMO. Both preamps offer great resolution and soundstaging, I just wasn't impressed with the LS25 as it compared to the LS5.
The LS5 MKIII doesn't get talked about here on Audiogon that much, but those who have heard it say it is the equal of, it not better than the REF 1. In Arc's line-up, it would only be bettered by the REF 1 and REF 11. There's always alot of talk here on this forum and others about the SP10 and SP11, but both of those just can't compete with the LS5 MKIII.
To answer you last question, I use an ARC PH3 phono preamp and the two mate extremely well together.
As always, YMMV and it's best to try to audition both to see which you prefer, but you can't really go wrong with either. Hopes this helps.
Mike.
The LS5 MKIII doesn't get talked about here on Audiogon that much, but those who have heard it say it is the equal of, it not better than the REF 1. In Arc's line-up, it would only be bettered by the REF 1 and REF 11. There's always alot of talk here on this forum and others about the SP10 and SP11, but both of those just can't compete with the LS5 MKIII.
To answer you last question, I use an ARC PH3 phono preamp and the two mate extremely well together.
As always, YMMV and it's best to try to audition both to see which you prefer, but you can't really go wrong with either. Hopes this helps.
Mike.