@atlvalet Look up Scott Frankland Associates in San Jose, CA
He just changed 16 Caps in my LS5 MKIII and it was worth every penny.
Sonic difference was Outstanding!
Recapping an ARC LS-5 mkiii
So I have done an exhaustive Internet search on this, and have some answers (but not all).
Every piece of audio gear I have from the 80's and 90's has had some sort of issue and needed mods and/or repairs. Some of this wasn't audible, but showed up when the equipment was put on a test bench.
Every piece of classic/vintage equipment I have (Aragon, Sonic Frontiers, Audio Research) has been updated except for my LS-5 mkiii preamp. With ARC gear, I know lots of people tend to think of them like classic cars and look down anything ARC didn't do originally.
At the same time, I know ARC offers a Stealth Cap upgrade (roughly $800 IIRC) and I also know Steven Huntley at GNSC used to modify ARC gear (including the LS-5), but I can't really find anything out there on what that process involved.
I am interested in getting the Stealth Caps done, however, outside of that, I don't want to change the sound signature too dramatically (like shoehorning an LS V8 motor into a Mazda RX-7). I'm sure there are some gains to be made (Rel Caps to Infinicaps?), but want to make sure I do things the right way.
BTW, the preamp sounds good (to me), but as I've learned, that doesn't always mean it would test completely within spec.
Thanks in advance.
Showing 4 responses by djohn
@atlvalet For Audio Research and or any Tube Electronics, Scott Frankland is your kinda guy. As a Heads Up, only Scott Frankland touches my Gear. He has totally Rebuilt my Classic 60 Amp which I have owned since New, and now the LS5 MKIII. Call Scott since the LS5 MKIII is in the Rack, and it is not going anywhere right now :-). Tell him David L. sent you.
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@atlvalet the fellow that I purchased my LS5 MKIII from lived close to ARC, and also knew someone there. I had him deliver the Unit to ARC so they could check it out at my Cost and then ARC would Ship it to me. I spoke to the Tech for the Condition of the Unit, and he told me the following. 1) Power Supply Caps will need to be Changed in 5 Years. 2) Rack Mount Faceplate (2 Holes per Side) was Extremely Rare since they did not produce many. 3) Stellar Condition. The choice is yours if you wish to have this work performed. Your Unit is " Due " on the Power Supply Caps. If you decide to have the work done, you might also want to look at obtaining some Amperex Holland Tubes. I tried the Russian Tubes initially, and when I tried the Amperex the LS5 really sang. Scott Frankland is getting Older, so it is up to you whom you wish to perform the Service. After Scott’s work the Sonic Level of my Stereo was ramped up One or Two Notches. The $1K was mice nuts for the Sonic Improvement. Even the Better Half noticed. @tecknik you are Absolutely Correct that the LS5 MKIII is Very Rare on the Open Market, and it took me 5 Years to find one. @jafox I am not getting this in my System; " too unnaturally forward sounding and lacks the energy in the low end ". You are Correct that there is Always Better but at what Cost? I actually tried a Highly Regarded Pre since I was not sure if I wanted to Rebuild the LS5 MKIII. Once the decision was made and I received the LS5 back, within a short time the Highly Regarded Pre was Sold. I was that smitten with the Change of the LS5. I am also getting Older, and I do love to read about Gear while Subscribing to 3 Mags. At my Age I do not wish to get on the Gear Merry Go Around. Trying the New Gear and if Disappointed, the Time and Monies lost pays for the Rebuild of the LS5 MKIII. Case in point, I have been researching replacing my Classic 60 Amp which I have owned since New. After Months of Research, I do not have a Clue with what to replace it with. Have you seen the Price of the KT150 Tubes lately. I have decided recently that I should just stick with the Lowly 6550 Tube in the Classic 60. The LS5 MKIII will very likely be my End Game Pre along with the Classic 60 if they do not Fail. | ||||
@jafox - Absolutely Loved your writings and Thank You! for showing up to the Party. I was also dead chuffed that you put up with the Classic 60 for a Year. My Classic 60 is very unique since Scott Frankland installed 2 Test Ports on Each Side, and 2 Bias Pots on each side of the Back Deck. I can Bias the Amp myself now with a Voltmeter since I was so sick and tired of lugging the Amp down to Scott's Shop. I will certainly look at your consideration/audition List for the Pre's in the next little while. I did look at the ARC VT130 Amp that you mentioned and it will not work for me. I am also facing constraints with my Rack which I will not get rid of. When I look at potential replacements I also need to look at the visual & operational aspects, Width, Depth, and Height. For my Amp replacement in the ARC Line, I love the Looks of the REF75SE but the constraint there is the Tubes. It is a Bigger Unit but it would work especially with the aspect of Biasing it from the Front which is a huge plus. @atlvalet - I would suggest that if you are considering sending your LS5 to Scott Frankland that you ask Scott his Schedule to do the work. I had to reserve a spot and wait 3 Months. Just saying. jafox " Nailed It " on the Tubes and also the Vendor to approach. When I switched from the Russian Tubes in the LS5 to these which were sourced from Brent Jessee if was like the LS5 " Woke Up ". LS5 loves these;
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