Opinions on Audio Research LS17 & LS26

Congratulations! I share your opinion of the LS-26... wait until it gets about 250 hours on it!!!

The best recommendation that I can offer in order to understand the difference between a LS25MKII and a LS26: demo both pieces of gear in your own environment. Just as soon as I offer one attribute of one piece of equipment over the other, someone will post here that they never experienced that with this particular piece of equipment. And for good reason. All systems depend on synergy. And, in my particular system and room, the LS26 was far superior and worth the additional dollar investment. You may have a totally different experience or your expectations my not be the same as mine.

If you do not have the opportunity to demo, purchase used and sell if you are not pleased with the outcome.

Audphile1...the preamp I was using prior to the LS26 was a Classe DR 5 (or 15..can't rememeber the model number)..suffice to say, a world of difference (and, quite honestly, an unfair comparison!).

Does anyone have any experience with Transparent cable and power/line conditioners? I've seen many references in these threads related to product 'synergy'...one of the main reasons I've bought into the notion of using Transparent products end to end in my system is precisely for this reason....does this make sense or have I fallen victim to the marketing hype??

Pixette

I just picked up a PB8 and a used REF2MKII. Sounds great in my system. Also using all Transparent MM except the balanced line from pre to amp is XL..... waiting for funds to upgrade that one. shunyata PC's through the rest of the system. I think Transparent goes great with Audio Research gear though.

i auditioned the ls17 ad ls26 side by side, same system :
wilson w/p #8; arc ref110, k5xe , transparent ultra mm cable + transparent intercons. room accoustics - somewhat damped [not my livingroom]

the ls17 performed nicely overall, but there was no compariso with the ls26. i found the differences somewhat substantial compared to the ls17, perhaps more so than davemitchell suggested . going with the ls17 is a big compromise, if you have very revealing speakers.

one thing i have learned in the last few months of itense equipment auditioning: , if other parts of your system arent up to a similar levels of sound reproduction, and you dont plan to upgrade the weakest links in the chain, then the differences afforded by the ls26 may not amount to much by the time the music comes thru the speakers ! it's as much an issue of real world budget as listening aims. that said, the ls26 was significantly better than the ls17 in my evolving system.

other: i listen to mostly classical music, much of it chamber music. conservatory trained. nuance is critical to me.

cheers.