My SFL-1 with a Telefunken 12AT7 was a very neutral, good sounding unit. That's a years ago memory, though.
The ARC LS-3 I recall, also years ago, was a balanced version of the LS-1 which was the Line Stage of the SP-9. I performed the "accepted" mods to m y LS-1 removing all the white by-pass film caps, replacing the 100uF electrolytic in the power supply, upgrading the output caps to Obbligato oils, and using an Amperex 7308.
Those mods improved the soundstage, tone and texture but it really came alive when I shoe-horned a TKD volume pot in place of the Alps.
I miss that unit... Damn this hobby!
The ARC LS-3 I recall, also years ago, was a balanced version of the LS-1 which was the Line Stage of the SP-9. I performed the "accepted" mods to m y LS-1 removing all the white by-pass film caps, replacing the 100uF electrolytic in the power supply, upgrading the output caps to Obbligato oils, and using an Amperex 7308.
Those mods improved the soundstage, tone and texture but it really came alive when I shoe-horned a TKD volume pot in place of the Alps.
I miss that unit... Damn this hobby!