Audio Research LS-15 Infincaps

Audiophile 1,I and a pal had/have Audio Research SP-15 pre-amps,with built in phono.Not long ago both of us sent our units to Great Northern Sound for a major upgrade.I had previously,happily,owned the Sp-10,and Sp-11,however I liked the idea of the Sp-15's 3 tube phono section,as this afforded me the chance to tube roll(huge advantage)without robbing a bank.

Great Northern Sound(a great modder,BTW,though there's nothing wrong with using Audio Research,obviously)gave me a few differing,voicing options,Infinicaps,MIT's etc.I chose the infinicaps for my phono stage,as this was apparently going to give a more open and less grainy sound to my unit.The power supply,as I remember, had "Elna caps and A few Black Gate caps",as well.Not shabby,though my friend opted to spend an additional 600 bucks and go full Black Gate,in the power supply.I don't hear the diff,and we have almost identical equipment.

To make a long story short,if you like your unit,as I liked mine,resist the never ending push to sell your stuff.Other options are available,as in the Audio Research update,you mention.

With regards to the Infinicap update,both I and my pal are THRILLED with the improvement,across the board.Detail,resolution,and superb frequency extremes.I always have a good laugh,now,when I see the latest industry "push" to move to the supposed super(pricewise)units.It is just NOT the "big deal" that these megabuck units claim to be,as compared to a thoughtful,thinking hobbyist,that you seem to be.

I have another friend with the CJ "ART" unit.Sounds absolutely great.When I take my reference material over to his home I do not feel like I'm giving away anything,and I know I'm not rationalizing.Listen to your own intuitive perspective,and you'll not go astray.Good luck!!

He wrote "...Ei 6dj8". Ei is the abbreviation that a European company named something like Electrical Industries uses. They're available all over, are quite inexpensive, and certainly are among the best-value NP tubes around. Here's one source http://store.tubedepot.com/ei-6dj8eg.html among many. I've happy with my results with Ei 12AX7s, 12AU7s, and Tube Depot.

On your original question, here's an informed opinion about capacitors--
http://www.altavistaaudio.com/caps.html
.

Thanks. This is what I am talking about!!! Great suggestions. As I said before, I really like my LS-15 and just looking to improve the way it sounds. Selling it and getting something better is certainly an option in the future, when I really get sick of the pre-amp, but for now, I had it since 1999, bought it new, and still not tired of it. As for the tubes, I saw tubedepot on the web before, just dodn't know how reliable those guys are. Is it safe to buy tubes from them? I may check out these EI tubes. Thanks all.

"I saw tubedepot on the web before, just dodn't know how reliable those guys are. Is it safe to buy tubes from them?"

Christian at Tube Depot has treated me very well over many transactions. He has accepted returns when I ordered the wrong things and has bias-matched my old Ei KT90s to the new ones I bought from him for free. He's a good guy.

Based on the pic of the LS15 here http://www.arcdb.ws/LS15/ARC_LS15_top.jpg , I'd say anyone who knows how to solder could replace those coupling caps with same-value better caps. Personally, I'd use the TRT D-Caps or Mundorf M-Cap Sup. S/Os, but you might also consider the V-Cap teflons, altho they're VERY expensive. But since you'd be saving the labor charge, maybe you could choose to afford them? Can you solder or have a friend who does?
.

Interesting thread. As an owner, I'd be interested in the different tubes as well. A few years back, I retubed with Sovteks from a dealer of ARC in Canada. When I got home, I realized that the factory set has a designation for each tube, V1, V2 and so on. The ones the dealer sold me had no such markings, and to this day I wonder if the damned thing is working right!
Can anyone explain the markings, and tell me if the tube sellers do the same so that each one is optimised for a certain tube socket.
Carl