Audio Research Pre-Amp advice


Hi, what would be a good used Audio Research pre-amp that has a remote, that is overall very musical. My budget is under 6K? I really don't want any Ref. pre's because too many tubes. Also something not too old, I do not want to have to bring in for service. I welcome and appreciate any advice. Thank you!

romad

I had a LS28 for about a year. Fantastic preamp. Upgraded to a Ref6.  Substantial improvement.  At your budget I would go for the LS28SE or Ref5SE.  The Refs are just better and for a reason.  

Romad,

There is a used LS28 SE up for sale right now here on Audiogon for $6,500, but willing to accept offers. It was upgraded to the SE version by the factory less than a year ago, and has a new compliment of tubes and upgraded caps. Condition 9 out of 10, seller has a 100% satisfaction rate.....seems like a really good deal, and probably will not last very long

I was using my MSB DAC direct to the amp without a separate preamp.  My local dealer loaned me an ARC LS28SE to try.  It was only marginally better than the DAC direct, not even close to worth the money for it.  But I could hear some potential.  So I put in an ARC REF6.  That was a substantial improvement over the LS28SE and it is happily in my system.  Stretch your budget a little and go for the REF6 over the LS28SE.  They can be had on occasion for $7K or so.  

Don’t listen to the people saying it’s built like a tank or it’ll never need service or don’t worry about the tube life etc

 

Trust me, keep up with the tube life, monitor.  Change as recommended by the factory.  
 

Dont ask how I know. 
 

There was a significant jump in sound quality from the LS 27 to the Ref 5SE in my system. It uses 5 6H30s and the 6550, which isn't that many.