Mark Levinson or Pass Labs...What is each's "House Sound" like?


Hello all!

Currently have a system consisting of an all ARC front-end:  D240 MKII ss amp, LS-7 tube line-stage & PH-3 tube phono-stage.  Speakers are Thiel CS3.5's with Thiel Electronic Bass Equalizer. 

While I love how my system sounds, I wonder what I would be getting sound-wise and performance-wise by switching to an all Solid-State setup from Mark Levinson or Pass?  What is the typical "house sound" from these manufacturers?  Also, will stick to going the used/vintage route, so would appreciate any suggestions to specific models, product ranges, etc.

Thanks for any feedback or info!

Arvin


arvincastro

Showing 1 response by adg101

I owned an LS7 once and didn’t keep it very long. It’s was ARC’s entry preamp at the time and I felt the SS LS3 was a much better preamp. My first thought reading your post is I’d look at your preamp first. 

As as far as Levinson or Pass on your Thiel’s, I’d go Pass. A Pass is going to be smoother on the top where an older Levinson might have a little bit of an edge on your speakers. My opinion a Pass will be a safer choice if you can’t listen first. 

I have not had the pleasure of listening to an ARC D240 MKII, but I once owned a 100.2 which I greatly enjoyed. If your amp is even close to a 100.2 I’d really look at your LS7 first. I should have kept that 100.2.