2. amps-preamps
  3. 1025817013

Is It Worth Modifying an ARC LS16?

I HAVE AN AUDIO RESEARCH LS16 PREAMP. SOUNDS GOOD BUT DOESN'T HAVE GREAT DYNAMICS OR STRONG BASS.IS SPENDING $1000 TO $1,500 ON THE UPGRADE OR GREAT NORTHERN SOUND MODIFICATION WORTHWHILE OR SHOULD I JUST GO FOR BETTER PREAMP, MAYBE USED $2500 TO $3000? SYSTEM IS McCORMACK DNA1 REV A, VANDERSTEEN 3A SIGS, MICROMEGA DRIVE 1, ARC DAC2, REGA P3, KIMBER 8TC SPEAKER CABLE.
rdale4da23
newbee
4,767 posts
 
my gut reaction is that you would be better off selling the ls16 and appling the sales money and the cost of the upgrade to a better arc product (or a cj, or bat, etc). your mod will be expensive and will not improve the resale value of the ls 16 much or at all.
audiotomb's avatar
audiotomb
1,112 posts
 
newbee

here is their website

http://www.greatnorthernsound.com/

Steve Huntley worked with Audio Research, Wadia and Cal Audio Labs. His upgrades are designed to extract the maximum performance out of the equipment.
rwd
695 posts
 
Thanks Tom
barrelchief
294 posts
 
If anyone contacts Great Northern regarding a modification, please post his recommendations/price. Maybe we could do better on price if we upgraded a few LS-16's as a "group purchase."

Has anyone found any earth shattering improvements w/any particular tubes when compared tot he stock tubes?
audiotomb's avatar
audiotomb
1,112 posts
 
I've heard that Mullards can open up an ARC preamp
More to discover