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Audio Research REF 3 and LS26

Posted by Bambi B (A) on September 24, 2009 at 19:56:42

In Reply to: Advice for Audio Research preamps, please... posted by murali on September 24, 2009 at 02:36:36:

TOP: Audio Research REF 3, BELOW: LS26

murali,

Yes, this is a somewhat difficult question as we are not aware of your taste in sound- though the list of your other equipment is a help- thank you.

Still, it would be best if you you are able to hear the REF 3 and LS26 for yourself.

From your description of having this choice of LS26 or REF 3, and the REF is a demo, may I assume this transaction involves a dealer? If so, might you ask the dealer to allow you to hear both preamps? Though the demonstration system will not be identical to yours, you will have a better idea of the differences than if reading others' impressions. Or, sometimes, if you are a regular customer, a shop will allow you to try them at your home.

Listening and comparing is surprisingly useful: In 1987, I and two co-workers went to audition preamplifiers and heard: the SP8/II, SP9/I, SP10/II, and SP11/I- that magic moment when all four were current. In single blind testing, and with the insistence of one of us that he would not be able to make any judgment, due to lack of experience, we all could correctly identify the SP9 in the first 10 minutes and could all identify any of the 4 with high accuracy after 30 minutes.

After 1 hour, we all found the choice very clear and all three bought SP10's.

If, however you are unable to listen to the LS26 and REF 26, and must rely on others' opinions, I would only say the REF 3 is with about 3 hours total listening, the most refined line stage preamp I've ever heard. I haven't spent enough time with the LS26 to comment, but it is extremely good and those who have heard it do often say something intriguing such as, "95% of a REF 3".

It seems only you can make the equation of $2,000 to whatever the "5%" difference might make, but I feel the REF 3 will be sought after for a long time and bottom out in value at a high level. This does happen with high quality audio gear regularly. The SP10 was $3,600 in 1987 and I've seen good ones sell in the past couple of years for $2,800 to $3,200. My arithmetic says that that's 22 years for between $400 and $800- or at more of less $20 to $40 per year! Would you post a cheque each month for $3.25 to have a really excellent preamp?

You may be aware that the REF 5 is generating some excitement and there are quite a few REF 3's for sale by those moving to the REF 5. I mention this as prices for low-hour REF 3's is dropping very quickly- I saw one sold recently on Audiogon for $5,000. I should be surprised if this amount is not substantially less than the price of a new LS26 in India,..

Now, a short poem in Urdu- my only one too!:

Bahout Acha
Billie ka Bacha


Cheers,

Bambi B

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