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Amp/Preamp Asylum Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here. |
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In Reply to: RE: tonyjack: Check your email inbox posted by tonyjack on June 21, 2009 at 19:52:53:
PHOTOS: Audio Research LS16/I (with remote sitting on top) and PH3SE
tonyjack,
It's been awhile since I've heard an Audible Illusions Mod 3, but I feel a certain kinship as the Audio Research SP10 shares the difficulty in finding 6DJ8 family tubes quiet and rugged enough. I have referred to the AI Modulus website page with suggestions for tubes. Part of my purchase of NOS Tungsram E88CC's for the the SP10 derives from the AI mention.
My memory of the AI is that it is an energetic, spatial, and transparent preamp- attributes in my opinion that are common with the better Audio Research 6922 designs.
The thing is, that by the time ARC offered remotes, they had divided the preamps into "LS" line stages and "PH" phono stages. There is of course, the remote SP16 including phono, but that is 12AX7 based. To use Audio Research with all your parameters of "easy on 6922/6DJ8 Tubes,has a remote, phono stage, good match with Quicksilver V4/Vandersteen 3A Sig combo" would mean buying two units.
That said, I'd recommend for your use an LS16/I line stage and for phono, a PH3SE.
The LS15 was one of my three favourites in the LS series (LS5, LS15, LS25)- and does everything very well. As a line stage, the LS15 is easily more refined than the line stage of the SP10- and remote and easy on tubes and was voiced at least in part with Vandersteen speakers. The "synergy" of ARC and Vandersteen is one of the strongest I know in the audio world. All 5 pieces of ARC gear I've owned have all soundded great with @cs. While I never spent any appreciable time with the LS16/I- a couple of brief moments in the boutique, it is the last of the mid-range LS series to use the 6922 and is said to have benefited from lessons learned with the LS25 and REF 2.
An alternative to the LS16/I would be an LS25/I- the MKII uses 6H30's- which would be a near "ultimate" preamp choice for me and if the budget might extend to $2500 or so, that would be my choice. I would think an LS5 could be one those lifetime preamp purchases- difficult to noticeably improve upon without $XX,XXX added. Well, I suppose a REF 2/II at about $4200 used might do,..
As mentioned, for phono, I like the PH3SE and these are quite good value now used. The "SE"- "Special Edition" is for the upgraded internal components and worth holding out for over the standard version. I still prefer the SP10 phono, difficult tubes and all as the SP10 has an ineffable quality of spatiality, natural timbre, discretion between sounds with the ability to reproduce something very delicate and something grindingly big at the same time, and there's the amazing transparency and detail of the bass. The PH3SE has a lot of these attributes as well, though it is a touch lean for me and with slightly less depth and "authority" than the SP10. Of course, I make these comments having never owned a PH3 and my listening was inevitably affected by the various LS preamps used with it. I can say that the PH3SE and LS15 combination I heard a couple of times was very convincing and I've thought of replacing the LS3 in my office system with an LS15. In my view, the LS5, LS15, (and possibly the LS16), and LS25 will be among the "classic" LS models and represent excellent long-term purchases- no great need to change- plus hold their value well. And, the PH3SE- with the right tubes (Siemens E88CC for example) I think is certainly worthy of all but the very top end system.
If however, you can live without a remote and with 12AX7s, I still think a really good SP8 with the right tubes could be very satisfying,..
Happy hunting and I'd enjoy knowing what you eventually choose.
Cheers,
Bambi B
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Follow Ups
- ARC preamplifier suggestions - Bambi B 06/22/0908:36:21 06/22/09 (0)
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