2. amps-preamps
  3. 153394-34300

Upgrading Tube Preamp from Audio Research LS-7 - Recommendations for better soundstage?

I want to replace my ARC LS-7 tube preamp. I fell in love with the bloom and warmth when I bought it. But it doesn't have the soundstage focus or width that I had heard from others I had demo'd at the time. I think I want both now!

Any recommendations on upgrades? - tube for sure, but something with better soundstaging - more focus and width. Open to used gear like an ARC SP-16L or Prima Luna Prologue or Conrad Johnson Classic or PV15 or Rogue 99 or??? These are just some I had seen used in the $1000 - $1500 range which is basically my budget.

Don't need a phono amp but would use one, don't need a remote but would use one.

My system.
- Digital and vinyl sources
- ARC LS-7 Tube preamp
- McCormack DNA-1 solid state amp
- Martin Logan SL3 Electrostat/dynamic woofer

Thanks much.

1trackmind

Showing 1 response by adg101

adg101
1,059 posts
 
Had a LS7 when it first came out and didn’t keep it long as I preferred my next pre, a Sonic Frontiers SFL1 over it with Mullard tube. I felt the SF was a more musical preamp but that’s just my opinion. Later I picked up a ModWright SWL 9.0 SE and very much enjoyed it but later had the bug to search for better and took home a ARC LS25 MKII and felt the ModWright at least in my system was more musical where I felt the ARC was a little on the cold side, not bad but didn’t excite me. Finally I settled on a ModWright LS36.5 and I’m pretty sure this will be my last preamp. If you’re looking in the $1,500 range I’d suggest reading up on the ModWright SWL 9.0 SE or find the current Anniversary model. It’s a great preamp and even though it’s been years since I’ve listened to an LS7 I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say the ModWright is a far better preamp. Forgot to mentioned I tried NOS on the LS7 and still felt even the Sonic Frontier was much better and the ModWright being far better.
More to discover