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ARC LS26 vs Ref 2 Mk 2

Hi all,

I am considering buying a tube preamp to replace my Krell KRC-HR. I tried out my friend's ARC LS5, and while impressed by it's dimensionality and inner detail, I found it to be a bit hazy compared to the Krell's inky black background.

I am considering either a brand new ARC LS26 or a used ARC Ref 2 Mk 2 for the same price. Home audition of the Ref 2 is not possible.

Could anyone with experience of both please share their opinions? Musicality is my number one priority.

Thanks in advance
Mick
128x128mickey_sg
jim_swantko
301 posts
 
No experience with the Ref2 but I have lived with the LS-26 for about 8 months and simply love it. The word "hazy" would not be used in the description of it.

Is there any way you can audition one?
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Hi Mick,

I cannot really point you in one way or the other on these two choices. I would recommend that you listen if you can, obviously the LS-26 is your best opportunity there. The reason being that the LS-5 was based on the 6922 tube, which has many substitutions. The Ref 2 mk II and the LS-26 ar based on the 6H30 tube, which really have no substitution. So the haze that you found on the LS-5 could be related to the 6922 tubes (age, poor quality, etc). The LS-5 mk II/III have a great reputation to be sure, but tube choices are so important here. E-mail Audiogon member Jafox offline if you need more info here.

All of that being said, if it were me, I would probably go with the ARC Ref 2 mk II because of the tube power supply. As a 30 year 'audionut', and a owner of the ARC Ref 3, I firmly believe that the tubes in the power supply are just as important to attaining the 'tube sound' as the tubes in the output stage. Also, if it did not work for whatever reason, I could re-coup more of my investment on the Ref 2 mk II than a LS-26.

Happy hunting,

John

PS: The word 'hazy' absolutely cannot be connected to the Ref 3. I have a feeling that your friend's LS-5 may have had tube issues.
oneobgyn
410 posts
 
Presently I own the Ref 3 having previously owned the Ref 2 Mk ll (which BTW I loved). I never thought ARC would be able to improve upon the Ref 2 Mk ll which replaced my Krell KPS 25sc and before that the KRC-HR. All of these were great preamps.. Personally I don't believe that there is a better preamp than the Ref 3. However a very close runner up is the LS 26 which IMO is indeed a better preamp than the Ref 2 Mk ll. The LS 26 has much of the topology of the Ref 3 for 1/2 the price. If you were to never hear the LS 26 you would be very happy with the Ref 2 Mk ll but side by side for music the LS 26 would be the one that I would buy.
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