2. amps-preamps
  3. 189829-67960

Should I upgrade my preamp?

There are no decent Audio stores close to my home anymore. I used to travel 50 miles to Paragon Sound in Toledo, Ohio. I could select a piece of equipment new (floor model) or used and bring it home to plug into my system and try it before I’d buy.  So, my question the group is, I’m thinking of up grading my preamp. I have always felt the preamp was the heart and soul of a system and the greatest change would come from changing the preamp. I’ve been watching used ARC preamps on eBay.  Would an ARC LS28 be to much of a stretch for my current system?  In the past I’ve enjoyed swapping out the single 6922 tube in the preamp and the change was always noticeable.  Currently I’m running a Dutch Amperex 7308 and my favorite so far. From top to bottom a very musical tube. What are your thoughts? 

 

Current system:

Denon DSD 1500 CD player

Audio Research LS2B MkII

Audio Research  PH3SE

Aragon 8008BB

 

Vpi Aries gen1 turntable

Vpi Line Conditioner

Graham 2.2 tonearm

Benz Micro Ruby ZH

 

Thiel 3.6 speakers

dgb553

Showing 1 response by lostbears

lostbears's avatar
lostbears
538 posts
 

I have owned many ARC preamps including the LS2B, but not the MK2. I also feel the preamp is the heart of the system. Much more important than the amp. I currently own a Ref 5se which I dearly love. My Ref 5se was a demo. Buying a demo or even used can save quite a bit of money. And it is already broken in. The LS28 is a wonderful preamp and would be a significant upgrade. Get the se version if at all possible. Speakers would also make a big difference. 

 

My advice is to make a long term plan and work toward it. Upgrade one piece at a time. Maybe a preamp first and then speakers. You may not realize the full potential  of the new preamp at first. But as you upgrade other pieces you will. And you will not feel the need to upgrade it for a long time.

 

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