Has anybody heard the new Audio Research LS 27?

Anybody can have an opinion. But only a fool will form an opinion without any knowledge of the issues in question.

That's a fairly harsh statement. It's true that many people babble on here with little to no value. But there are many others who have much knowledge that is realized by the rest of us when we read their many contributions here.

I'll tell you what I would like to hear, a SP-10 Mk 3, that is maximizing that circuit with the best parts and see what we end up with. I know, I know the design is a bit long in the tooth compared to today's but I wonder how much better it could be. And of course there is that great phono stage. Great Northern had several mods for this pre and stated the extreme mod would compete with anything out there, and what about the LS5? How much more could be extracted from that great line stage with current parts and a few changes? And so far as going backward who here would say that the Classic series amps were an improvement over the D series amps? Not me for sure! Now the VT series got them back on track.

I haven't heard current production other than in unfamiliar systems so I won't comment but it seems unlikely that their middle of the road line stages couldn't be more than minor changes in circuit design. There is a benefit for ARC in promoting new models rather than making revisions to existing which is to say some will want the latest and greatest, not a bash on ARC but I don't particularly care for this approach, preying on the known insecurities of audiophiles:)

Yes there are many things you can do with an SP-10 to improve it, but some of the limitations are with the 6922's themselves. Most of the new ARC line stages use 6H30's which frankly are better tubes with regard to dynamics and voltage swing then a 6922 or a 12AX7. It's simply newer technology. The Russian's never stopped designing new tubes. That doesn't mean all new technology is better, but in this case the 6H30 is superior, as are the newly developed power supplies utilizing more linear transistors in the newer line stages.

I also want to make it clear that I have great respect for ARC. They have been most instrumental in the renaissance of tube amplification and a clear cut front runner in cutting edge design since their inception. I have owned 4 ARC products over the years and all have been enjoyable and satisfying. It is their marketing practice methods only I bring into question, I find it very calculated to sell more product. If others don't mind there are those that do and this is a valid point to bring up especially in their mid priced product line.

Onhwy61,
The point is that the LS27 is better then the LS26.
I know a top engineer who had a LS26 in his tightly controled,very neutral listening room..He replaced it with the LS27 and theres no question it sounds better.There must have been something ARC was able to improve.