The Ref 3 and the LS25 MKII do the same function. They provide a "pass thru" for the signal from your HT processor. I've been running mine for over two years without a problem. That's the whole reason for having the bypass circuit is to allow the HT processor signal to run straight thru to the 2 channel preamp without being altered by the preamp?
ARC LS 25 Mk 11 Bypass
I'd like to get better "2 channel" performance out of my HT system (Bel Canto Evo 6 amp and PrePro processor, Theta CD transport). When I was at my local stereo store the salesperson recommended that I simply purchase the LS 25 Mk II. He told me that it has a "bypass" feature that will allow me to use the LS for 2 channel music and the PrePro for HT and multichannel applications...without having to move cords everytime I want to move between music and HT. I've tried to find literature on line that would explain how the wiring would work, but I've been unsuccessful. Has anyone out there done this with the LS 25 or some other preamp? If so, did you find the 2 channel sound to be substantially better than simply running it through the processor?
Thanks everyone.
Thanks everyone.