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RE: Audio Research LS15 or LS16 MKI




PAINTING: "Design for a Puppet Show"

Tim,

I believe a good LS15 or LS16/I will take that slight coldness out of your system- and in a pleasant way. As mentioned, the move you're making replacing the LS3 is exactly what I had in mind for my LS3> D130 and I had in mind the LS15 because it has a great sound and the prices are reasonable.

That said, if an LS25/I- the 6922 version were within budget reach I believe that could be a lifetime purchase- it really is 95% of a REF 2 and with the right tubes as good a line stage as I would ever need. Still, it's substantially more- a good LS15 is $1,400 and a good LS25/I is more $2300-2600. I think the prices will continue to drop , but I believe there will be a low point and then the LS15 will begin to rise a people realize how good it is as "vintage" Audio Research.

Yes, If you change to an LS15, LS16, or LS25, you'll want to turn it off between listening sessions- Audio Research runs the tubes full on when ever there's power so it's ready for use at a time without warmup. The LS15 will warm up in 30-40 Minutes as compared to 5 hours for the LS3 or D130. These newer Ls series have a degree of soft start an dI'm wondering if you could leave the D130 on all th etime and then turn the LS on and off as it's being used. You can get an answer to the advisability of that from Leonard or Chris in ARC Service. I'm, quite certain they'll recommend not running the LS all the time.

I didn't notice your system in your Asylum profile until now and it occurred to me that your room is of the ideal proportions to create standing waves- it's about 16' square and an 8' ceiling. With all 3 dimensions being multiples of 1 or 2 you may get standing waves and null spots at important places- esp, at the centre where you might be sitting. Do you notice any "dead" spots if you walk around with the music on? And, that effect may be more prominent is the room is "slightly live". You might, before deciding on the new preamp, thinking of a some reflection damping solutions and you may actually have a livelier sound on which to base your next preamp choice. -Just a thought.

It feel you're making a good, methodical decision, just be aware- once you've had tubes you can never go back!


Cheers,

Bambi B


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