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Soliciting Member Perspectives: Levinson vs Bryston vs Audio Research

Wanting to start a discussion for which there are obviously ZERO absolute answers.  I want to hear various member perspectives on these three marquis brands of audio equipment: pro's vs con's, likes vs dislike & your emotional/visceral experiences.

Why?  #1, I think it would be fun & edifying.  #2, I am contemplating modifying the direction of my primary 2-channel system in my 'Man Cave' & your thoughts & opinions will be useful.

Please try to avoid pretentiousness, condescension & remember, these are your opinions & not necessarily facts.

Thanks in advance & I hope this proves to be as fun as I think it can be.
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glennewdick
1,658 posts
 
20 year warranty says a lot about Bryston, Levinson isn't really Levinson anymore can't say much about ARC never owned anything from them. Bryston and ARC have stood the test of time rather well with good customer support and product stability.
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oldmandave OP
24 posts
 
@n80 - Sounds like a damned nice rig! Certainly no shame there!!
jetter
3,033 posts
 
OldManDave, our friend clearthink starts a lot of his post by putting down our questions and/or equipment others are asking about.  But he/she never goes on to offer his/her recommendations as if afraid to give an opinion or that we won't respect it.  Some of us would like to learn what he likes and positive opinions on gear.

Unfortunately, his paragraph beginning with …." it is not for you to limit, restrict...." is a copy and paste that appears in a number of his/her posts and almost seems computer generated.
minorl
1,016 posts
 

All three companies make very nice equipment.  A lot depends on your surrounding equipment.  For example, if you are interested in new amps, then it would be important to know what the pre-amp and speakers are.  System integration is important and the ability to drive difficult speakers makes amp selection very detailed and important.

Unless you are going to remove all of your existing equipment at one time and replace them all together, then you are typically going to replace one piece at a time.  This makes it important to demonstrate that particular piece in your system.  Reputable dealers will allow in-home demonstration of equipment.  This way you can do A/B comparisons vs the original piece in your system in your home.  Listening to a piece in the dealer's show room isn't quite the same and many are very disappointed when they purchase and take it home without hearing it first in their own system.

I've heard many Mark Levinson and Audio Research equipment.  I've never heard Bryston (that I can remember). 

Much depends also on your price point and your existing system.

You didn't list your price point or your existing system, so you are going to get many responses that are biased based on particular preferences. 

Are you keeping your existing speakers?  if so, what are they?  are you replacing pre-amp and amp and CD transport or just one?  See?  many choices and questions that have to be answered before a more specific response can be provided. 

enjoy

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hk_fan
460 posts
 
Levinson:

It just exudes luxury and quality to me.  I love the way the buttons feel, the way the knobs turn, the displays, all of it.  They sweat the details in my opinion.  Pride of ownership is thru the roof.  I also love the sound.  It's smooth and refined yet open and detailed without being in your face.  I also like the flexibility of the SW and .1dB volume increments.  

Audio Research:

I've owned a couple of ARC preamps and enjoyed my time with them but never "fell" for them.  They are excellent pieces but I always worried about tubes degrading which bugged me.  I also think I just prefer a well executed SS preamp.

Bryston:

Again, just never really been blown away by their products but I know lots of people love them.
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