I have only tried the Sovteks (factory tubes) and the Amperex 7308 gold pins. The Soveteks make the pre amp very very good. The Amperex's make it one of the best pre amps I have ever heard. The ls 5 becomes a different character altogether. The actual sweet spot shrinks (almost electrostatic in nature) but the sound in the spot is jaw dropping. I too am using the AR damper rings (2 clear silicon rings per tube). The texture and vibration of instruments and voices is extraordinary. The tubes are hard to come by but worth every penny. I understand the Mullards give it a similiar character. All of my components are run balanced so the all XLR is a good thing. I would love to get a removable power cord however. I may have to drive over there and see if they can do it.
The only AR piece I am very familiar with is the Reference 1. I think it is in the same class, if not a hint better in most configurations. The LS 5 is all balanced and with the right CD balanced output Player (I have an EC EMC1) the Ls5 can edge out the Reference one ever so slightly.
I had an extra ls 5 for sale a few months back. I never saw one on the market before that but it was like the Ls5's came out of the woodwork all at the same time! If you can find one snap it up.
The only AR piece I am very familiar with is the Reference 1. I think it is in the same class, if not a hint better in most configurations. The LS 5 is all balanced and with the right CD balanced output Player (I have an EC EMC1) the Ls5 can edge out the Reference one ever so slightly.
I had an extra ls 5 for sale a few months back. I never saw one on the market before that but it was like the Ls5's came out of the woodwork all at the same time! If you can find one snap it up.