I know this is a old post I am responding to. @ rickbyrd
So what did you end my buying?? I was going to buy the C-2600 preamp to pair with Tube mono Blocks.
It has a DAC if that is useful. As the model advances into new version I notice they improve the DAC part and analog part remain the same with very subtle change. Then you are stuck with the older DAC and to upgrade it is expensive. Try to use DAC as separate component, you could buy a new one and sell your old one. Or get a used C2500 if DAC is not important and save $$$
I am looking at Audio Research LS 28 and the older REF 5SE. LS does not have tube on the power side so it is like Hybrid. But the sales guy says LS 28 is"better than the REF 5SE". I am not sure if this is just a marketing gimmick !!!! Audi Research is good in doing this bringing out newer LS model and terming it Better than the previous REF. Showing some "measurement values"that may not make sense to many, this is contradictory to
"these words by owner of ARC William Johnson( he is no more)
With "[T]he measurement techniques we use today really don't necessarily tell you about the sound quality. Obviously, if it measures badly, it isn't going to sound good. But the simple fact that it measures well doesn't assure that it will sound good."
Not sure if ARC is falling the founders words.
So what did you end my buying?? I was going to buy the C-2600 preamp to pair with Tube mono Blocks.
It has a DAC if that is useful. As the model advances into new version I notice they improve the DAC part and analog part remain the same with very subtle change. Then you are stuck with the older DAC and to upgrade it is expensive. Try to use DAC as separate component, you could buy a new one and sell your old one. Or get a used C2500 if DAC is not important and save $$$
I am looking at Audio Research LS 28 and the older REF 5SE. LS does not have tube on the power side so it is like Hybrid. But the sales guy says LS 28 is"better than the REF 5SE". I am not sure if this is just a marketing gimmick !!!! Audi Research is good in doing this bringing out newer LS model and terming it Better than the previous REF. Showing some "measurement values"that may not make sense to many, this is contradictory to
"these words by owner of ARC William Johnson( he is no more)
With "[T]he measurement techniques we use today really don't necessarily tell you about the sound quality. Obviously, if it measures badly, it isn't going to sound good. But the simple fact that it measures well doesn't assure that it will sound good."
Not sure if ARC is falling the founders words.