I have an ARC LS 25 mk I and I am considering an upgrade. Check out the ARC Reference 3. Used prices are at $4500, give or take. This is on my radar. I have a friend who adored his for years. He eventually bought the ARC 40th annevarsary. Other people say the REF 3 is nearly as good as the REF 5. Either way, I would check into it!
Thinking of a new preamp and looking for advice...
So, I am currently running a BAT VK30 into a Parasound A21 to Golden Ear Triton 2 speakers. Sources are a Sony Z1ES and a Linn LP12 to a Parasound JC3+ phono stage. Green Audioquest cables all around. Most of my listening is vinyl--lots of jazz and 70's-80's rock and female vocals. I love the sound of my system, but the BAT is very finicky about power, and I have a ground loop that I cannot find...It works fine at other locations, but has a hum in only the right channel in my listening room...It's driving me bananas!
I demoed a Sonic Frontiers LS1 and the ground loop was gone, but it didn't have the open airy sound that my BAT does. I am looking into an Audio Research LS-27, and also a McIntosh C47. My must haves for a new preamp are at least 2 balanced inputs and balanced outs, and a remote control. I may like to stay with tubes, but I'm not opposed to SS either. Price-wise my ceiling is around $4000. I would love to here from anyone who has either of these preamps as to what they like or don't like about them. I am also open to suggestions.
Thanks for your input.
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I would first try a little harder to eliminate the ground loop hum. I know they can be frustrating, but I have even heard $12K preamps have this issue until the culprit is found. As is, your system appears to be quite well balanced. Adding a better preamp may or may not eliminate the ground loop, and may or may not make your system sound better. A more transparent preamp like the ARC LS-27 may just highlight flaws in your source or speakers. http://www.audioholics.com/home-theater-connection/ground-loops-eliminating-system-hum-and-buzz |
jptenberg1
I have a ground loop that I cannot find...It works fine at other locations, but has a hum in only the right channel in my listening room...What makes you certain that the cause of the hum is a ground loop? Typically, a ground loop causes hum in both channels. Have you tried swapping cables from left to right to ascertain the problem isn't in the cable itself? |
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