2. amps-preamps
  3. 997903136

Preamp upgrade ARC LS5, SF Line 3, others?

I'm looking to upgrade my preamp. I have Audio Research LS2 MKII and ARC D200 power amp. The LS 2 can be a little bright on the top end and thinon the low end. I have heard the LS5 and was blown away auditioning it in my home, but have a number of components that are single ended. I've always liked ARC products, but they seem low on features.

I've read reviews on the Sonic Frontiers Line 3 and am encouraged by it. SOmeone I spoke to said the Line 3 was dramatically better than the ARC LS5. Any SF Line 3 owners would like to leave comments on this. Any other preamps one should look into?

thanks

tom
128x128audiotomb
lornecherry
135 posts
 
Placette active line stage. Not cheap ($4K) but the best I've heard so far under $10K. Wonderful on "bright" sources, as the Vishay resistors clean up the high end.
hrcapers
65 posts
 
Like you, I had the ARC LS2-II. I bought an ARC REF-1 off Audiogon and have been extreemly happy with it! It has both balanced and SE connections. The biggest difference was in the bass, but the REF-1 bettered the LS2 in every way. You can find them here for under $4,000.

Good Luck!!!
talmadge3
29 posts
 
I use a SF Line 1 with an ARC D200 and really enjoy it. I think there's definitely something to be said for combining a tube preamp w/ SS amplification. And the SF Line series features are very nice- I particularly enjoy the headphone amp w/ my Sennheisers.
gundam91
506 posts
 
Hi Tom,

Keep me informed as I currently using the Balanced version (LS-2B MkII). I've been thinking about upgrading my preamp which would have both balanced and single ended inputs/outputs as I am using balanced input for my digital front end and single ended input for my analog front end. That rules out the Hovland, but the top contenders are the ARC Ref series, BAT VK-50SE, and the SF Line-3.
audiotomb's avatar
audiotomb OP
1,112 posts
 
thanks for all the responses

I looked into a number of those pieces mentioned, wow, quite a few interesting options.

Now how does one audition the less available pieces?
I'm in New Orleans and we are a bit limited in Audio. My friend sells AR, but Hovland and Sonic Frontiers are not that widely carried outside major audio markets. I've always felt the only way to evaluate the subtle differences in preamps is to experience it within your own system and room dynamics. Word of mouth and rave reviews are great, but in the $3-5 k range, you'd really like to go on more than that.

Yes, you start looking to improve and the next thing you know, you've doubled your budget

thanks for all the insight

tom
More to discover