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Audio Research LS28/SE, Ref 5/SE … what do you like better?

It’s time for me to upgrade my preamp and I have heard both LS 28SE and Ref 5SE  and was very impressed by the following:

-  Full bodied, lifelike, soulful vocals

- Resonant, warm, engaging wood instruments 

- Top end accuracy, without edginess

- Clarity around each instrument 

 

I have listened to a few different preamps in comparison to the AR’s (Margules 220SF 20th Anniversay Edition, VAC Signature Renaissance Mk 4, VTL 7.5 Mk2 and direct via the preamp in my dCS Rossini DAC) but each of these fell short of the AR’s.

Knowing what I like sonically (see above) is there anything that I should try to hear before pulling the plug on one of the AR’s? My budget is under $10,000 Used or $15-18,000 New.

System comprises Raidho D3.1 speakers, VTL S150 amp, dCS DAC/Streamer, Jay’s Audio Transport.

 

PLEASE only respond if you have heard/own an Audio Research LS 28/28SE or REF 5/5SE.

 

 

naperaudio
naperaudio OP
35 posts
 

Thanks for all the advice/suggestions ….

I decided to spend a little (and have no regrets)  went with the Ref 6.  It sounds sublime! 

imjerrys
57 posts
 

The Ref 5SE sounds great, but I didn't like the "return-to-center" knobs. I bought an LS28SE which has a normal volume control and keeps the tube count to a minimum while simply sounding great.

lewisranchmike's avatar
lewisranchmike
3 posts
 

I went from Ref5SE to Ref6 and or was a real good upgrade and worth the money. I usually go in stages so I next upgraded phono stage from Ref2SE to Ref10 Phono. Another good upgrade. So the point is to do small incremental upgrades to different components.   
 

maybe next year go back and upgrade from Ref6 to Ref6SE. I use money invested in current component to help upgrade to next component. Have been doing this for years

 

actually looking back I started with LS17, next LS17SE, then Ref3, followed by Ref5SE, finally Ref6:0)

hifirus's avatar
hifirus
3 posts
 

Have the Ref 5SE and love the bass control and midrange articulation.  Heat is an issue, so it will always need space above it. Agree with earlier comment that the LS 28 sounds slightly tilted up in the upper mids.  Think this is a preference relative to amp and personal taste  I run it through a Pass 30.8 class A and the match is incredible. 

imjerrys
57 posts
 

When I was considering one of these preamps, a dealer suggested that the LS28SE sound is a step up from the 5SE but below the 6SE. (Don't flame me; I'm just reporting.)

I had been using a Benchmark HPA4 for a couple of years, so I tried an LS28SE to see if it would add a little "tube magic" to the otherwise exceptional linearity, resolution and extension to the Benchmark pre's sound. WOW! It did. Now the HPA4 is dedicated to powering my Meze Elite headphones.

I installed a quad of Upscale Audio's highest spec 6H30 tubes which sound great, as did the 400 hour stock tubes.

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