Preamp dilemma...

From your post, I presume that you want to buy another tube preamp. If so, then you need to add the appropriate model of Conrad-Johnson preamp to your list.

If you are willing to consider some other preamps that are a bit less well known, you should also include the Hovland 100, which has gotten some outstanding critical reviews.

Celery

glad to know I am not alone in the ls5 endorsements

I can't afford a ref2 but i sure enjoy my ls5
it makes music so so involving!
the decay of the notes is heavenly

what tubes have you used on it besides the amperexs?
I am using the russian soltexs (came with it)
and have two damper rings per tube ($80 for that)

I would love to get a mk iii for single ended stuff
but the mk ii with cheater plugs works wonderfully

what do you think of the bl-2 rca to xlr boxes???

anyway CHAZMO, I am not trying to divert your thread

don't buy an LS22 or LS25, they don't have the magic of the LS5. Unless you are willing to modify them substantially.
Why arc would skimp when the ls5 was such a gem is beyond me

look at the resale values and it's obvious
or look at the lack of available LS5's on the market

tom

LS5 MkII/III actually was on my list originally, but I was a bit put off by balanced in's only... I've heard that the BL-1 (plus extra interconnect) is NOT a good thing; does the MkIII have SE also?

Have you heard of the Opal Wyetech Labs preamp? Might be what you are looking for (any budget limitations?)
Ken

I have only tried the Sovteks (factory tubes) and the Amperex 7308 gold pins. The Soveteks make the pre amp very very good. The Amperex's make it one of the best pre amps I have ever heard. The ls 5 becomes a different character altogether. The actual sweet spot shrinks (almost electrostatic in nature) but the sound in the spot is jaw dropping. I too am using the AR damper rings (2 clear silicon rings per tube). The texture and vibration of instruments and voices is extraordinary. The tubes are hard to come by but worth every penny. I understand the Mullards give it a similiar character. All of my components are run balanced so the all XLR is a good thing. I would love to get a removable power cord however. I may have to drive over there and see if they can do it.
The only AR piece I am very familiar with is the Reference 1. I think it is in the same class, if not a hint better in most configurations. The LS 5 is all balanced and with the right CD balanced output Player (I have an EC EMC1) the Ls5 can edge out the Reference one ever so slightly.
I had an extra ls 5 for sale a few months back. I never saw one on the market before that but it was like the Ls5's came out of the woodwork all at the same time! If you can find one snap it up.