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Review: Audio Research LS-25 mkII Tube preamp

Category: Preamps

I compared the ARC LS-25 MKII to the BAT VK-30SE (which I own) at a dealer with the noted associated equipment. I was suprised to hear the difference in the preamps. The ARC was slightly more refined, better bass definition and a lot more dynamic that the BAT. The BAT seemed to limit and constrain dynamic swings especially soft to loud sounds of drums and a Hammond B3 organ. Again I heard it but would not have believed it unless I heard it in direct comparision. But there it was. I was never an ARC fan. I had compared the BAT to the older LS-22 a year or so ago and the BAT was smoother and more way more refined. The LS-22 had a poor high frequency sound as noted in the Stereophile review of this preamp many years ago.

So the ARC outpreformed the BAT in the areas stated above.

Associated gear
ARC CD-3, Plinius 102 (newest model) amp, B&W 802N speakers.

Similar products
BAT VK-30SE
bigkidz
7 responses Add your response
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
Nothing to add, really, except to note that I take 'reviews' of gear auditioned in showrooms with a necessary grain or three of salt (please don't take it personally, it's still interesting info, I just don't consider it to meet real review guidelines), and that the CD source *was* one of ARC's own.
captain
81 posts
 
I HAVE TO AGREE WITH BIGKIDZ.I TOO OWNED THE BAT VK30SE AND PAIRED IT WITH MY BAT VK500.I ALSO TRIED IT WITH MY THRESHOLD SA6E MONOBLOCKS IN SINGLE ENDED AND BALANCED CONNECTIONS.SPEAKERS AT THE TIME WERE VANDERSTEEN 3A AND ALONS.I PREFERRED ALL THREE OF MY AUDIO RESEARCH PREAMPS INTO MY SA6E MONOBLOCKS.THEY ARE A.R.C SP6B,SP10 MKII AND SP9 MKIII.THE REST OF MY SYSTEM IS A BASIS OVATION TURNTABLE,GRAHAM ARM ,VANDENHUL FROG, WITH VON SCHWEIKERT VR6 SPEAKERS.I SOLD BOTH BAT UNITS.I AM CURRENTLY USING AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE CARY 805C WITH THE VR6'S.BATS BUILD QUALITY IS SECOND TO NONE BUT THE SOUND JUST PUT ME TO SLEEP.MAYBE JUST TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING.
rwd
695 posts
 
Thanks for the review! I have the LS 25 MK1 and I am interested in an upgrade. This review helped!
bigkidz OP
3,387 posts
 
Thanks Zaikesman for your comments and I wanted to let everyone know that it was at a dealer in their set up system, but none the less, my BAT got beat in dynamics. We also used the Musical Fidelity NuVista CD player and got the same exact results for what it is worth.
markone-1840
1 posts
 
Good review. More so as I also own a SA102 power amp.
I'm looking to up-grade my preamp, so I was interested in your review. The ARC-Plinius combo works well then? I'm curious to know if you use it in balanced mode. I've got ARC on my short list. My cd player is slightly different: Wadia 301. What cables are you using? Cheers, Mark.
jetstream
30 posts
 
I have been using this pre-amp for the last 4 months extensively connected to both an Arcam FMJ DV-27 and Marantz SA-14 as digital sources. Cables are Cardas Golden Reference from Players to Pre and Harmonic Tech. Pro Silway MK IIs XLRs to a Mcintosh MC352 SS amp and finally MIT M2 Magnum new generation bi-wire speaker cables to B&W Nautilus 802s.

The LS-25 mkII sounds awesome!
twitch54
4 posts
 
as afollow-up to "markone', I too own the Plinius SA-102 and this past spring mated up the new ARC LS-26 and couldn't be happier. I've been an ARC guy for twenty years, had a modded(Steve Huntley) SP-9mkII that was a sweetie ! One thing to be aware of..... because of the price point of the new LS-26, Ref2's and LS-25's can be had even at better $$$ now !
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