Is It Worth Modifying an ARC LS16?

I've sent Northern an e-mail asking him prices on the LS 25 upgrade. I told Steve I found out about his company from the people on AudioGon. I how he responds accordingly.

I've heard that Mullards can open up an ARC preamp

If anyone contacts Great Northern regarding a modification, please post his recommendations/price. Maybe we could do better on price if we upgraded a few LS-16's as a "group purchase."

Has anyone found any earth shattering improvements w/any particular tubes when compared tot he stock tubes?

Thanks Tom

newbee

here is their website

http://www.greatnorthernsound.com/

Steve Huntley worked with Audio Research, Wadia and Cal Audio Labs. His upgrades are designed to extract the maximum performance out of the equipment.

my gut reaction is that you would be better off selling the ls16 and appling the sales money and the cost of the upgrade to a better arc product (or a cj, or bat, etc). your mod will be expensive and will not improve the resale value of the ls 16 much or at all.

Please, someone....tell me more about the Great Northern Sound mod. Who is Steve Huntley? I have an ARC LS 25 and I am interested!

Rick

I have a friend who did the modifications to either an LS16 or LS 25 (sorry can't remember which model), I was quite surprized, the results were stunning.

I have an LS5 which I feel is outside of the Ref2 the best Arc preamp that I have heard. I am definitely going to do a Great Northern Sounds modification to it.

Steve Huntley used to work for Audio Research and is very helpful at evaluating the sonic benefits of particular Arc pieces. He was quite informative on sonic characteristics of the various pieces in his e-mail correspondence with me. You could ask him whether to modify the LS 16 or upgrade and modify another Arc piece.

hope that helps

Tom

I have the same pre and posted a similar question a few months ago. It does not appear that any visitors here have done the upgrade.

I do not feel that I lack bass...maybe your other components/cable are holding back the pre's performance.

I am about to start tinkering w/replacement tubes. Mine are the orig stock tubes and have somewhere in the neighborhood of 3000-5000 hours now. I have a strong suspicion that they are getting tired.

Good luck. Feel free to email to discuss further if you wish.