Opinions on Audio Research LS17 & LS26

Audphile1...the preamp I was using prior to the LS26 was a Classe DR 5 (or 15..can't rememeber the model number)..suffice to say, a world of difference (and, quite honestly, an unfair comparison!).

Does anyone have any experience with Transparent cable and power/line conditioners? I've seen many references in these threads related to product 'synergy'...one of the main reasons I've bought into the notion of using Transparent products end to end in my system is precisely for this reason....does this make sense or have I fallen victim to the marketing hype??

Pixette

I just picked up a PB8 and a used REF2MKII. Sounds great in my system. Also using all Transparent MM except the balanced line from pre to amp is XL..... waiting for funds to upgrade that one. shunyata PC's through the rest of the system. I think Transparent goes great with Audio Research gear though.

i auditioned the ls17 ad ls26 side by side, same system :
wilson w/p #8; arc ref110, k5xe , transparent ultra mm cable + transparent intercons. room accoustics - somewhat damped [not my livingroom]

the ls17 performed nicely overall, but there was no compariso with the ls26. i found the differences somewhat substantial compared to the ls17, perhaps more so than davemitchell suggested . going with the ls17 is a big compromise, if you have very revealing speakers.

one thing i have learned in the last few months of itense equipment auditioning: , if other parts of your system arent up to a similar levels of sound reproduction, and you dont plan to upgrade the weakest links in the chain, then the differences afforded by the ls26 may not amount to much by the time the music comes thru the speakers ! it's as much an issue of real world budget as listening aims. that said, the ls26 was significantly better than the ls17 in my evolving system.

other: i listen to mostly classical music, much of it chamber music. conservatory trained. nuance is critical to me.

cheers.

I have just taken an LS 26 instead of a LS 25MKII, and my opinion was in the negative: the bass is slow, very heavy. Then, I worked on cables and valves on getting a good improvement. I speak only for low range, medium-high on the 26 is better than 25; LS 26 - same of 25MKII - driving Nuforce 9SE V2 mono amps, with Magneplanar 1.6

I just broke in my Audio Research LS17 and it is amazingly good. I have had many so called reference preamps in my system but this unit is truely light years ahead of any preamp I have heard. These incude BAT, Cary, Audible and Mcintosh, Calypso (all tube units).Please do yourself a favor and seek this unit our (one with at least 200 hours on it) and listen. It is all about the music and it is the closest preamp I have heard to not having one at all and going directly into my amp from the CD player. It disappears and throws a stage like you have to experience. Micro detail, decay and imaging stage is incredible! I have no idea why this unit is not receiving glorious press or reviews not that they mean much these days. Our so called press is the best money can buy.