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The LS26 remote will shut off your dishwasher and start your programmable coffee maker too.

Posted by Bambi B (A) on August 17, 2009 at 11:38:19

In Reply to: ARC LS26 Linestage Questions posted by AbeCollins on August 16, 2009 at 14:30:18:

PHOTO: Audio Research LS25 remote, BELOW: LS26 remote

AbeCollins,

The question arises every time ARC changes model numbers- what's new, is it really better, and why is so much more expensive?

The LS25 to LS26: I would have thought the change from 4- 6922's to 2- 6H30's would've triggered the "LS26", but this is apparently done by sonic intention- the LS25/II is soncically still the LS25 sound. In the case of the LS26, I think you can see in your photos the number of components that are different looking. -White round things became copper coloured round things.

My memory was that the main selling point of the the LS 26 was that it was a REF 3 on the cheap. The trickle down technology of the REF 3- which is one of the 4 or 5 finest preamps I've ever heard did pay off and the LS26 is a great one, though I haven't spent very much time with that one. I heard mumbles that ARC was almost reluctant to put out the LS26 too soon as it might kill REF 3 sales. The announcement of the REF 5 has seemed to coincide with a lot of REF 3's becoming available and cheap(er). The REF 5 must be very nice if it's prying people away form the REF 3- the reviews are very complimentary to say the least.

I still like the old-fashioned LS25/I with 4- 6922's, and as an LS3 replacement watch for these used to decline to their minimum price- I think this will be $1700-1800 in about a year or two, but there's no denying the LS26 is one of the great ones. I am however going to wait until REF 3's are at their minimum; $3500 c. 2015- but by then I'll be using a Sony holographic 27.8 THXsquared surround sound system 32 channel receiver and Sennheiser direct Celebellum injection headphones- now with less ear bleeding.

As for the input selection of the LS25 and LS26: The above photos show the LS25 [11 buttons] has a scroll through selection and on the LS26 [20 buttons], there are individual buttons: look at the two rows of three round buttons near the top. Even with remote muting, I would not like to scroll through inputs- for fear of hitting something on- I warm up the McIntosh MR67 for half an hour before listening for example. The scroll selection seems a slightly cheesy mid-fi choice to me and I imagine there were complaints. Given the price range, Audio Research should have a long look at Cambridge Audio Remotes- for ergonometrics, functionality, and build quality. I am also not a fan of the ARC full electronic display trend, but they have their uses- for example I wouldn't mind having an hour meter to keep track of tube life, they don't need as much cleaning, plus these display/control system preamps all seem to be the quietest.

So, are you in the market for a preamp? By the way, if you're going to toss that nasty old, obsolete LS25/II that nobody will ever want on the rubbish tip, I'd be glad to at least pay shipping,..

Honestly, in my view, if you thinking of a change, improvement from the LS25/II will be difficult to find- and I would want to be sure- hearing them side by side just to be sure the extra $3000 gets more than the 9 buttons on the remote.

You might like to spend some time with a REF 3 and find a well cared for used one- it is really, really good. How could a preamp with only 6 tubes- with 1.5 alternatives be anything special! Or, if you wanted to fuss with NOS tubes, a REF2/II even could be very rewarding. If Audio Research would put the SP10 phono stage together with a REF 3 line stage for an "SP18", I'd be right in line. Oh, the SP18 should be $4,995 rising to $5,495 for the MKII- which will use only two tubes-a pair the next generation supertubes, the 6H120p-EDR.

By the way, speaking of ARC stuff, have you heard the HD220- the hybrid power amp with 2-6H30s and solid state power output? I've heard it's really a nice one- a dynamic, transparent, full -bodied 220W. Expensive- $9,000.

By the way number 2, I am having far better result from my SP10 retubing than I expected- the first 4- Philips SQ 188CC's (1963) I took out of their boxes were all wonderfully quiet and non-microphonic. Also, The 6- Tungsram red label E88CC (1969 and 1977) are working very well. I've never had the SP10 quieter. Although I'm using 7308's for all 6 gain positions now, I'm tempted to try the Tungsrams there- they're supposed to have 90%+ of NOS Siemens E88CC sound.

Cheers,

Bambi B

[ARC: SP8, SP10, LS3, D115, D130]

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