Opinions on Audio Research LS17 & LS26

I found that DrHIFI review to be more geared toward comparing/contrasting the LS26 and the LS15, not the LS25MKII. I don't mean to pick apart that fine review, but really, there just isn't much substance to go on, as far as compare/contrasts to the 25/2. Ultimately what MCRHEIST did is the number one way to go: direct comparison in your own room with your own familiar "stuff". Buying based on reviews is risky business, which I am certainly guilty of ;)

Dpac996, I agree. I think the comparison of LS-15 to LS-26 is meaningless. LS-15 is 3 generations older and 1 model down in a product line. LS-26 should have been compared to LS-25MkII instead of LS-15.

BTW, there's going to be a review of LS-17 soon by soundstage.com
Should be interesting to read.

I recently compared my LS-15 (with attached power cord) which had high-end NOS tubes in it with the LS-26 in the dealer's showroom. The LS-26 had a better more focused soundstage and a quieter background which allowed for better microdynamics. The only thing I preferred on my LS-15 was that it had more of a lush (rich/warm) sound (the tubes?) which made the LS-26 sound slightly sterile in comparison. In the end, I decided that the improvement the LS-26 provided was not worth the price. I may look into sending my LS-15 to GNSC for upgrades.

Ackman00, Interesting comparison between the 2 preamps. I wonder what the dealer thought about it.

As a side note...if your LS-15 has captive power cord, it probably also has the yellow REL caps. Replacing the REL caps with TRT Dynamicaps was a huge improvement in my LS-15. I also had the IEC installed to try the aftermarket cords.
LS-15 is a fine preamp, but you can definitely take it several notches higher with an upgrade.

Agree Audphile1. I too replaced the stock infini's with TRT's and the preamp was far more transparent/neutral. This was a good thing in the context of my system. The LS15 with the EH6922's and new dual tube dampers from arc, plus the TRT's IMHO,take this pre into the "high value" category.