Has anybody heard the new Audio Research LS 27?

I bought mine about 4 weeks ago. Still going through break in. So far, I'm extremely happy.

Very musical, very transparent, excellent soundstage, very nice image.

Associated components are the ARC DS450, Oppo 83se, Revel Salon 2, Kimber, Audioquest. On order Shunyata Black Mamba PC, IC and SC.

No question they make excellent line stages, they have been for a long time. An interesting A/B would be the all balanced LS5 versus anything before or after, I think it would hold up pretty well in comparisons (sound-wise, maybe not functionality and ergonomics)

Ritmo: Since very little has been written about the ARC DS450, would you care to give us your thoughts about yours? Any specific comparisons to more traditional class A or A/B designs?

An interesting A/B would be the all balanced LS5 versus anything before or after, I think it would hold up pretty well in comparisons (sound-wise, maybe not functionality and ergonomics)

Now this makes me smile. What a great idea indeed. An IEC, set of Valvo or Amperex PQ 6922 or 7308, update with some cheapo Dynamicaps, and it could be most interesting. 8-)

Palewin,

Be glad to comment. I did significant listening over multiple sessions at my dealer.

Listened to Ayre, McIntosh and ARC. Swapped Pre amps and Amps. Did not feel the Ayre had the power to drive the Salon 2s. The McIntosh had more bottom end than both the Ayre and ARC but was not as musical nor did it have the wide soundstage the ARC has.

The clarity of the DS450 is tremendous yet it is not over analytical. Even my wife has commented on how the nice balance and musicality our system has now.