Audio Research Pre-Amp advice

Romad,

There is a used LS28 SE up for sale right now here on Audiogon for $6,500, but willing to accept offers. It was upgraded to the SE version by the factory less than a year ago, and has a new compliment of tubes and upgraded caps. Condition 9 out of 10, seller has a 100% satisfaction rate.....seems like a really good deal, and probably will not last very long

I was using my MSB DAC direct to the amp without a separate preamp.  My local dealer loaned me an ARC LS28SE to try.  It was only marginally better than the DAC direct, not even close to worth the money for it.  But I could hear some potential.  So I put in an ARC REF6.  That was a substantial improvement over the LS28SE and it is happily in my system.  Stretch your budget a little and go for the REF6 over the LS28SE.  They can be had on occasion for $7K or so.  

Don’t listen to the people saying it’s built like a tank or it’ll never need service or don’t worry about the tube life etc

Trust me, keep up with the tube life, monitor.  Change as recommended by the factory.  
 

Dont ask how I know. 
 

There was a significant jump in sound quality from the LS 27 to the Ref 5SE in my system. It uses 5 6H30s and the 6550, which isn't that many. 

+1 on not worrying about service. Most will never need service, they are built to last a lifetime and Audio Research prides itself on servicing older models and having an extensive parts stockroom. Should you keep it for decades, then any competent electrical repair can update the caps.

Well o so fast.  As a repair facility, we have had 5 ARC older products in the room for repair recently.  BUT they can be repaired and also upgraded to improve the sound so that I would agree with.

Happy Listening.