Preamp for Bryston 4bst

The Audio Research LS-3 and Bryston ST series amps have excellent synergy. This I know after running an LS-3 and 4B-ST together for several years, and then moving on to a series of much more expensive components thereafter. In fact, the dealer I bought this combo from spoke at length about their synergy, saying the LS-3 bested Bryston's own preamps with the 4B-ST and the more expensive ARC LS-2.

Provided they are left on 24/7 and used with really good cabling, the LS-3 / 4B-ST can sound incredibly good for the money.

I believe that ARC will still retrofit the LS-3 with remote, but it used to be $600, and it is surely more now.

If you really need a remote, you're not going to get much in the way of sound quality at your budget. Remote volume control compromises the sound of the preamp, and inexpensive preamps with remotes are severely compromised.

The LS-3 without a remote is a real high-end preamp that is not out of place in a revealing system. It is grain-free, dynamic and transparent, especially through the direct input that bypasses the channel selector and balance control.

The remote volume control will reduce its fidelity. As for how it sounds compared to the Adcom (I used to own a cheap Adcom) and the Parasound, I do not know, but given that most mid-priced solid-state preamps sound mediocre and given how good the LS-3 sounds, my guess is that the LS-3 will sound better in most systems, especially in a system featuring a Bryston amp.