Audio research LS25 any opinions

I did the same thing with the 6H23s from Kevin at Upscale with the same results as Gmorris... two thumbs up!! Also did the VT-100. The 6H23s do not work well with the DAC3MKII however. I think this has also convinced me to wait with the MKII upgrade... You can replace with these tubes 25 times (at current rates vs. the cost of ARC OEM tubes) before you will break even with the expenditure. There is also another level when some key capacitors are removed and replaced with Signature hotrod type D Infinicaps (use type S to mimic some of the other competitors sound).

I have the LS 25MKII and it is a superb pre amp. I think the j-fet input stage makes the preamp quiter and easier to drive, allowing it to mate better with different sources. Whether or not its worth the money to upgrade, I don't know. pondering that same question with my Meridian 508-20 to the 24 bit.

bump for more recent opinions...

LS 25mkII here. Great line stage. 

I bumped this thread and wound up buying a LS25 MkII for $2500, which I like pretty well (the twist&hold knobs are not the most wonderful ergonomic experience).

The sound is pretty good - how good I am not prepared to say without more extensive listening tests, except that it does seem to beat the Shiit out of the Shiit passive pass-thru attenuator thing they make. I may be able to A/B it vs. a Sonic Frontiers Line One later on.

Mine did come with Infinicaps BTW.