Preamp upgrade

@jelliott78 the increase in performance when upgrading a preamp depends on how good the upstream and downstream components are. LS7 was an OK preamp when it was new but there’s a reason why ARC made several more models up from it. The Ref 3 will crush it if there’s synergy with the rest of the system.
Matching preamp to the rest of the system is never a plug and play type deal unless you’re buying same brand/line components.

I would say my upstream and downstream components are quite good.I totally understand that there isn’t any plug and play options in reward tomorrow choices. However the question is there going to be reasonable gains for spending 6-12 times what I paid for the LS7. Define crush? Is that a 5 percent 10 percent gain crease for the money? 

I kept my Cary SLP98-F1 and sold my two AR preamps.

What AR preamps did you own? 

I’ve owned the 3a several times and always enjoyed my time with it. Not sure about the 3b, but if it has the same amount of gain, then you need to consider that. These are extremely high gain preamps with wide steps on the attenuators. Not a good match for amps that already have a lot of gain.