Audio Research LS25 MK II ??

I recently demo'd the Audio Research LS25MKII in my own room setting and equipment. With it being a tube amp, I had hoped it would reflect a little warmth but not too much. However, I was disappointed to find that it did replicate what many reviewers had stated about about the preamp...that for a tube preamp, it was very dry, brittle, and not representative of a tube preamp at all. It is truly more of a solid state preamp but one that is not neutral at all like most solid state preamps can provide. Frankly, I did not like the sonics at all. My Ayre AX7e integrated amp surpassed the sound of this preamp by a significant margin. And, its not the amp (an ARC 150.2). I heard the 150.2 amp drive many preamps very successfully as well as a pair of B&W speakers (800s, very hard to drive) very well.

But, I have found the appropriate preamp replacement for my system which supercedes the Ayre and ARC LS25MKII. Feel free to email me for further comments.

If the ARC LS25MKII works in your system, that is great! It just was too sterile and dry in mine.

Dpac996,

I just read my post again, and do not believe it reflects what I originally intended to convey. I apologize for my lack of proper communication in the prior post. My speakers are extremely revealing (Wilson Audio Sophia Series II), and required more power and warmth than my current integrated could provide. So I have been on the hunt for separates to include a tubed preamp and SS amp. I had the opportunity to demo an Audio Research LS25MKII with an Audio Research 150.2 amp in my environment for several weeks. The LS25MKII was not tonally warm enough for my system but I must say that I was impressed with its features and build quality, as well as the huge soundstage that it presented in my dedicated room. I really enjoy the Wilsons, they are not going anywhere, so my system required a preamp with different sonic attibutes. If my aural memory serves me correctly, I believe the original LS25 (non-MKII) ~ which seemed to be tonally warmer than the LS25MKII ~ might have been a reasonable solution. Despite the outcome regarding the preamp, the demo was well worth the time invested. I plan on purchasing the demo ARC 150.2 amp (another fine piece of Audio Research gear!) and a new tubed ARC preamp which mates very well with the Sophias (but unfortunately cost more dinero).

Regarding your question about the gain settings: While demoing the LS25MKII, I called Leonard at Audio Research and asked him the very same question. He said to keep it on the highest gain setting possible, and that is what I did. The gain settings made a fairly significant difference in performance, and after considerable hours of listening, I will have to say that I agree with Leonard's suggestion. By the way, Leonard was extremely helpful in his guidance on how to maximize the MKII's performance, so do not hesitate to call him with any questions. I was very impressed with his knowledge of the product lines, as well as his responsiveness. He actually is the one who steered me in the proper direction regarding which ARC preamp to purchase.

With proper system matching, I am sure the LS25MKII is a top notch performer. You purchased an exceptional piece of gear and hopefully it will integrate well with your system. Best of luck. Enjoy!

Dave,

I bet your 100.2 will be a great match with the 25/2. I'm no longer in the preamp search hunt...I found my perfect preamp. Again, a late model Audio Research which is a perfect match for my system with the 150.2. So, finally, I am out of the game for awhile. At least when it comes to preamps and amps. :-)

I also read what www.arcdb.com stated about gain and if you are referring to the gain which is an external adjustment on the 25/2, you will just need to see what works best in your system. In my particular system which already features a few ARC components (one tube, one SS), the higher the gain, the better. Particularly for the LP phono preamp.

Best of luck.

Statman,

Are we discussing two different things? On the LS25MKII, the second external knob from the left, labeled as "Gain" includes the choices of "Low" Medium" or "High". Leonard specifically recommended "High" and this was less than three weeks ago. Plenty of output was achieveable with the "Medium" setting but "High" just took it to another level. (My phono preamp is an ARC PH5). Best cables so far for my system (that are not out of this stratosphere in price): Cardas Golden Cross.

The REF 3 is what I ultimately will own, but I found the next best thing (LS26), I will have to say it offers 90% of the performance and is a much different animal than the LS25MKII.

The bottom line: Enjoy your system!

In my demo of the LSMKII, it was in a balanced system (preamp to amp with Cardas Golden Cross XLR; CD player to preamp with Cardas Golden Cross XLR) with the exception of the phono preamp (ARC PH5) to preamp. Having said that, "high" gain made the most sense in my system. And, Statman, our systems are VERY similar except mine is 2-channel versus HT. Equipment owned includes: Wilson Audio Sophia Series II loudspeakers; Audio Research 150.2 amp; Ayre CX7e CD Player; late model Linn LP 12/Ittok LVII/Lyra Argo i/Lingo; Audio Research PH5 phono preamp.

Dpac996,

After a review of your equipment , it makes more sense to me now why the LS25MKII is considered a "worthwhile addition' in your system. Enjoy it! Best of luck! Be sure and hold onto that receipt!