The audio research arc line- from top to bottom.

Agree with everything that has been said. I owned the LS-26 before upgrading to the Ref3. The LS-26 is a great amp and probably the best value in the ARC preamp line but the Ref3 betters it by a considerable margin. And now with many used Ref3s avail (because of the launch of the Ref5) I would go for a Ref3. The only other thing I would mention is the new SP17 which probably equals the LS-17 but also has a phono stage incl in case that interests you. Tone Audio recently reviewed it favorably.

are you considering buying only new or are you willing to buy used? You can buy used LS-17 or LS-26 and get GNSC mods (http://www.greatnorthernsound.com/) which are specialized in ARC mods. They have a number of people including the founder who worked at ARC for 10+ yrs and are very familiar with ARC designs and how they can be bolstered. In fact they do mods for a whole range of current and older ARC preamps. Go through their website and read what mods they offer and customer testimonials and when you decide which amp you want to hone in on, call Steve Huntley and walk through it with him. Excellent guy and excellent advice. I have no affiliation. I considered going that route but ended just getting a new REF 3 from my LS-26. I am now considering modding my REF3. Hope this helps.

While I agree that calling the LS-26 the 2nd best preamp in the world is a gross exageration (and yes as i said I owned one and now have the Ref3), what's also funny is that you are an Atma and not an ARC dealer and it's hilarious how quick you are to disparage positive remarks about ARC products without disclosing that you are a dealer of a competing product. Like I said a "bucket of laughs."

I was not talking about your comments about lines you carry but rather your negative inferences concerning products that compete with lines you carry. I hardly think you would have called Efner's statement laughable if he had stated that an Atmasphere preamp was the second best in the world (as ridiculous as any "best" statement about any product is). The fact that you do not think it necessary to disclose that you are a dealer of a competing line of a product you are disparaging speaks volumes.

As for my bucket, it's filled with the same thing your peddling. Maybe now that I have explained my reasoning which was clearly too hard for you to understand maybe you can follow me. Not sure though, it is perhaps too complicated.

Pedrillo...sorry didn't mean to sidetrack your original thread. I am done. I hope you get additional answers concerning your question on ARC preamps.