Preamp for Bryston 4bst

Ghw: I believe that most LS-3 preamps did not have a remote. I read somewhere that it was an expensive option (like $500), so very few were ordered. I have seen one or two of them for sale here, but 90% of the LS-3s that I have seen do not have a remote.

I apologize for confusing you - I should have been more accurate in my original post.

I believe that ARC will still retrofit the LS-3 with remote, but it used to be $600, and it is surely more now.

If you really need a remote, you're not going to get much in the way of sound quality at your budget. Remote volume control compromises the sound of the preamp, and inexpensive preamps with remotes are severely compromised.

Thank you for the insight,

If I go with a used Adcom GSP 750 I believe I can keep it under $950, it comes with a remote, and from the reviews that I have seen it has very good sound quality. Please let me know if I am missing something.

Thanks for your help.

ghw

p.s.

I have an opportunity to purchase a used ARC LS-3 with a remote for $900. I also have an opportunity to purchase a Parasound PL-D 2000 with remote for under $900. Does anyone have an opinion with these two alternatives.

Thanks,
ghw

The LS-3 without a remote is a real high-end preamp that is not out of place in a revealing system. It is grain-free, dynamic and transparent, especially through the direct input that bypasses the channel selector and balance control.

The remote volume control will reduce its fidelity. As for how it sounds compared to the Adcom (I used to own a cheap Adcom) and the Parasound, I do not know, but given that most mid-priced solid-state preamps sound mediocre and given how good the LS-3 sounds, my guess is that the LS-3 will sound better in most systems, especially in a system featuring a Bryston amp.