Has anyone Upgraded their ARC preamp

Did you hear the MKII version of your preamp and the LS-26 in your system? Were they broken-in and fully warmed up? It has been my experience Audio Research hybrid preamps require 3 days warm up to sound their best.

I have never heard an Audio Research preamp sound mechanical unless it was not warmed up or not broken in. I have always been amazed at how many folks have come to the conclusion they do not like a product without sufficient break-in and warm up. Maybe the third owner actually gets the fully broken-in component and full enjoyment at a discounted price.

Ever since Audio Research developed the hybrid preamp the tubes were given a long, 10,000 hour, tube life whether it was a 6DJ8H, 6922 or the current 6H30. You can leave these preamps powered up 24/7 and only replace the tubes once a year, 24 hrs. x 365 days = 8760 hrs. This is a small price to pay for the improvement in sound.

I went from a 25MKII to a Ref 3.It was a step up.More musical all around,I was very pleased with my choice.

I had the LS25 MkI and it was good, but had a veil on it compared to the LS26 I owned for the past couple years. I loved the LS26; ARC's philosophy goal is to capture the best of solid state; the detail, speed, dynamics and low noise floor with the positives of tubes; more three dimensional sound stage, more air and bloom around the notes. If you want a tubey sound, there are other manufacturers to give you that. I jumped the Ref 3 and went to Ref 5 and it is light years above the LS26, but for the price it should be! With many audionuts upgrading I think I'd jump to the Ref 3 from the LS25 MkI; your urge to upgrade will be less!

Hifimaniac...nice setup and agree with you 100% on your description of the ARC sound. That's exactly right. I see you have the PH7 right now. With your Continuum set-up, it's begging for the Ref Phono 2 :-) One quick question, with the Ref 5 mated to the SS Nemo monos, you still get as much 3D dimensionality in the soundstage and that sense of bloom and air around instruments as compared to the Ref 5 into a tubed power amp (Ref 110/210s for example)? I run my Ref 3 into a Ref 110 and I am thinking about subbing out the Ref 110s for the DS450 from ARC but I am afraid to lose some of that tube magic that gives you an immersive quality to the musical presentation. Thanks

"It has been my experience Audio Research hybrid preamps require 3 days warm up to sound their best"

Why would anyone buy a tube pre that takes 3 days warmup to sound "good".Thats the dumbest thing if seen on this site.Ill pass!!!