tgm: Don't fall in the "newer is better" trap that the manufacturers and mags would like you to believe. My Jadis preamp is from 1995, my Jadis amps from 1990 and I'd stack them up against anything out there. While there have been improvements in parts over the years, ARC is good about updating their units and bringing them up to spec when you send them in for a checkup, and Brauser's point about upgrading through Great Northern(?) Sound Company--I'm thinking of Steve Huntley--is a good cost-effective way to bring a fine commercial design such as the LS-5 (not the 15, I've not listened to that one at length, I presume that was a typo) up to state-of-the-art status if you really want to. I'm not sure how it will sound mated to the Plinius amp, as I've not heard that combination, but in my prior listening with this pre and other ARC preamps they fed solid-state amps with no problems whatsoever. As Blauser says, the LS-5 is a very musical preamp, I think that would be ideal with your speakers, which are designed more for the music lover rather than the "boom and sizzle" crowd.
ARC LS-5 vs SP-10/11 for Plinius SA-102
Need a preamp for my new Plinius SA-102. The Plinius is expensive and my budjet for a preamp is therefore small. I am aware that classic ARC preamps (tube) are still very good. After reading some reviews and threads I have concluded that ARC LS-5 and SP-10/11 are the most interesting models. The SP-10 seems to be the best (is it?). But I really need a word of advise here. I am not using a turntable so phono is not an issue. So, according to you, which one among these preamps is a better match for the Plinius (and why)? Thanks.
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- 7 posts total
- 7 posts total