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 !
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
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