Should I upgrade my preamp?


There are no decent Audio stores close to my home anymore. I used to travel 50 miles to Paragon Sound in Toledo, Ohio. I could select a piece of equipment new (floor model) or used and bring it home to plug into my system and try it before I’d buy.  So, my question the group is, I’m thinking of up grading my preamp. I have always felt the preamp was the heart and soul of a system and the greatest change would come from changing the preamp. I’ve been watching used ARC preamps on eBay.  Would an ARC LS28 be to much of a stretch for my current system?  In the past I’ve enjoyed swapping out the single 6922 tube in the preamp and the change was always noticeable.  Currently I’m running a Dutch Amperex 7308 and my favorite so far. From top to bottom a very musical tube. What are your thoughts? 

 

Current system:

Denon DSD 1500 CD player

Audio Research LS2B MkII

Audio Research  PH3SE

Aragon 8008BB

 

Vpi Aries gen1 turntable

Vpi Line Conditioner

Graham 2.2 tonearm

Benz Micro Ruby ZH

 

Thiel 3.6 speakers

128x128dgb553

I thought the 3.6 was the best per dollar speaker ever produced by Thiel. I liked them when driven by Krell and Levinson, which were available to me back then. Such an improvement over the 3.5. When Robert Harley reviewed the 3.6 speakers in '93, the LS2B was used throughout the review. He never stated it was a weakness in the system. You might want to consider having the LS2B serviced / updated. You still have not told us what sq you are looking to improve / change. The source is always an area to upgrade, as I agree with audphile1. I would also try different cables, if yours have those time alignment boxes...@ghdprentice....all good my comrade. Enjoy ! MrD.

dgb553

Nice system. I will second- ARC Ref5SE pre-amp.  Also, feel free to join Us over on the Thiel Owners thread. We have several fans/owners of CS 3.6 loudspeaker.

 

Happy Listening!