Recapping an ARC LS-5 mkiii

As a long time LS5 II and III owner, who praised these models on here 20+ years ago, I would be hesitant to put a lot of money into this.  If it sounds good to you, then just run with it.  But if you're looking to put $1k into this, I would suggest you consider alternatives.

My line stage progress since then: ARC LS5 III --> BAT 31SE --> Aesthetix Callisto Sig --> Aria WV5XL which I have had for 15 years.  Each change was a significant step up with the last two being VERY significant refinements.  

After you hear these models and many others from Cary, Canary, VAC, it's hard to go back to the LS5 as it is just too unnaturally forward sounding and lacks the energy in the low end.  About 10 years ago I got an old Counterpoint SA-5 for a small apt system.  At that same time, a friend got a used LS5 II as he found a good deal and he knew of my praise of it years ago.  We ran them side by side and the LS5 lost to the SA5 in a flash.  Even his wife in another room asked what we did right when we switched to the SA-5.  He sold the LS5 and got an SA-5 and put money back into his pocket.  I am not pushing the SA-5, and surely you can do a lot better, but I am pointing out that there is so much out there so be careful what you spend on updates.

As for capacitors, here is a cool read: Capacitor Review Test

John

@djohn It's interesting to hear of Scott Franklin's recommendation here.  I had the ARC SP-10 for 8 years before I switched to the LS5 II, and then the III some years later.

My final showdown with the SP-10 was the MFA Luminescence at a dealer in the mid 1980s.  I remember that session vividly.  The Lummi provided bass extension and authority but lacked much needed extension on the top.  The SP-10 did not at all have the bass authority or portrayed power in the lower mid, but the SP-10's dynamic contrasts were incredible.  The Lummi's strengths were the lower octaves, the SP-10's were in the upper octaves, but both lacked detail in the very top.  The Lummi was more laid back at the speakers with the SP-10 out into the room. I ultimately bought the SP-10, but the Lummi was special.

And then in the mid 90s, the final showdown for an update from the SP-10 was the LS5 II vs. the Sonic Frontiers SFL-2.  The differences were very much the same, and no surprise.....it was the same designers head to head again.  The LS5 did the 3D magic with greater ambiance, but it lacked the authoritative power of the SF.  Notice that I do not use the word, "better".  Both models improved from their older models in the previous shootout, but compromise was still high.  

All these years later, I felt that the forward presentation of the SP-10 and LS5 was not natural.  The ARC's forward presentation can be appealing and addicting, but after 15 years with the ARC products, once I heard a system with the sound back at the speakers and behind, and extended into the top octaves, there was no going back.  The 1980s Counterpoint SA-5 auditioned 10 years ago confirmed this.

Almost 30 years after the LS5's creation, so much refinement has come along where the compromises I have described above no longer need to be made.  If someone is willing to pay $2500ish for an LS5, and put another $1k into an update, there are just too many models available on the used market today at this price that offer a multitude of refinements.

Oh, and I used a Classic 60 loaned by a colleague for almost a year until I dropped in an ARC VT130 amp in the late 90s.  Wow, wow, wow, lovely.  Ahh, the good ol' days.

John

@atlvalet - It’s a small world indeed.

If you are using EH, Soviet, JJ, etc., tubes in your LS5, you have yet to hear its true potential. Do an internet search for the Tube dealer, Brent Jesse. He has given me sound advice on suggestions for several of my tube components over the years.

When I ran with the Aesthetix Callisto & Io models 15 years ago, a mix of Mullard, Telefunken, Amperex and RCA tubes made their way through these as I tried different pairs at each gain stage. Gutting out those horrid Sovtek’s was a major refinement.

I too am a tweaker.  I am a diehard tube roller as my many threads over the years can confirm.  And I recently fully rebuilt the massive crossover boards in a pair of Duntech Sovereigns.  That capacitor review page and other A'gon threads on Resistors steered me into the right directions.

John

Oh, I forgot to answer your question.  My consideration/audition list would include:

1. BAT VK51SE
2. BAT VK52SE
3. Cary SLP-05
4. Vac Renaissance Signature
5. CAT SL-1 (Many variations)
6. CJ Premier 16