Has anybody heard the new Audio Research LS 27?

I guess the question is whether in fact the many models and revisions of
those products over the years were in fact the result of continuous
improvement of preamplifier performance, or in fact the result of
calculated product marketing strategies geared to driving demand. Both
are legitimate and a business is certainly entitled to do whatever it needs
to do to drive sales and stay in business (and providing good products and
customer service is an essential part of that, and ARC certainly does make
good products and at the pinnacle of customer care). However, I feel that
the principal circuit topologies needed for building a good sounding active
line stage with gain have been around a long time and very little has really
changed in that regard, other than some better parts with tighter
tolerances (perhaps). So yes, ARC makes very fine products - they always
have. But I don't believe the "improvements" overtime is to the
degree which all the models, revisions, latest and greatest announcements
might suggest. That is I think it is every bit as much driven
marketing/advertising principles as it is by technical ones. That doesn't
mean there is any reason not to own an ARC preamp, they are very fine
indeed.

Caveat emptor. Buyers decide: The Market reacts: Companies live or die

ARC has survived for the last forty years, if it's all been a gimmick it's remarkably well disguised!

Again, I have a hard time with people complaining that they use the same circuit or similar circuits year after year. As a Warranty Repair Station for ARC, I can say without question their circuits change as do the parts they use. If people need to complain about this they can build their own line stages. It is not an easy task. Some people sure know how to beat a dead horse.

I have done a bit of research on the differences between the LS26 and LS27, trying to read between the lines but I really couldn't determine anything substantially different other than a beefier power supply and different parts. It seems the chassis is a little deeper as well but the circuit is basically the same. The LS27 also weighs less. As the owner of a 10 lb amp I don't hold much weight that weight matters but power supplies and filter capcitance sure do which usually add some weight. All accounts seem to attest that the LS27 is a step above the LS26 in listening impressions.

My question to Hifigeek1 as you seem to be quite familiar with the circuit designs of ARC products in general. Is there a REAL difference in the circuits between the LS26 and LS27 or just modest changes in parts and power supply? Your comments about the 6H30 tube and an improvement over the 6922, greater transconductance I presume which surely would benefit the sonics subjectively. I can only imagine if this tube were implemented in an SP-10 with its tube regulation and quite large power supply. This is MY point and Onhwy61's as well. I don't want to come across as bashing ARC, I'm not. A healthy ARC is a good thing for the audio industry but the point is that there really doesn't seem to me to be anything revolutionary over the past 25 years in the design of their products although there is little doubt that there have been incremental improvements based on refinements more than radical new approaches, outside the box thinking, if you will. Just curious on your thoughts.

It does seem automotive technology has changed dramatically over the past 40 years, not so with linestage circuit designs. For those with money to spare, getting the lastest ARC then flipping it 3 years later for the latest ARC is fine -why not, does no harm and they are excellent linestages. But if money was an issue and you wanted to have a wonderful linestage you could easily buy a 20 year-old ARC preamp and be very much in the company of what any ARC preamp has to offer - a good sounding linestage - there simply has not been that much improvement or new knowledge of how to design a linestage - better part always helped, then and now.