Opinions on Audio Research LS17 & LS26


Geting ready to purchase new preamp. Interested on opinions/experiences with ARC LS17 & LS26. Thanks.
donlduck

Showing 1 response by mniquet

I did. The difference is big but the 6H30p DR in the LS26 will not please to every one. All depends on your other components. For a short story, if you feel there is some «slack» in your sound (specialy in the bass), the DR is for you. If you like the bass and the highs you already have, don't do it. The DR will tight the bass area and it's not a subtle move. The high frequency area is also tightened and you'll some times get the impression that something there is missing.

But like every tuning move you make, there will be a lot of recordings that you will like much better and others that will make you miss your previous setting. But all of them will be significantly different.

Generaly speaking, on symphony orchestra recordings, both tubes are good; for chamber classical music the DR is better because of its superior focus and tone contrast (amazing!); while small jazz band, I prefer the original Sovtech tubes for a more «live after midnight» sound effect.