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ARC LS26 versus Cary SLP-05

I am trying to figure out a preamp for a system that I am putting together. While I know I may have to do some selling and swapping to get the right fit, I am trying to minimize the amount of that I have to do. Here is the system: Magnepan 20.1 (on order), Cary 500MB (500w/ch solid state monoblocks), Cary 306 Professional SACD/CD player, and amp tbd. I have a local ARC dealer (from whom I am buying the Maggies) who can arrange an in house tryout for an ARC LS17 as he has that in stock, but not the 26 which seems like is universally praised. I do like the sound of the LS17 as I heard it being fed by a dcs stack ($50,000!). Anyway, I listen to primarily classical (all sorts) with some jazz thrown in. I have extensive experience in live classical music performance (as a participant) and value sound that is musical, lifelike, not harsh in the highs, and with a realistic soundstage (one of the main attractions of the maggies). Price seems about equal for these two units on the used market. I could buy a Cary, audition an LS17, and sell the Cary if I liked the ARC better, but then I would feel guilty not buying from the ARC dealer and, of course, then the LS26 would be more $$. Anyway, thanks for any thoughts.
luvwine
amfibius
282 posts
 
I have an all-Cary front end (CD 306, SLP-05, CAD-211AE) and at times I have felt that the music has a bit too much "Cary-ness". I have managed to dry up the sound a bit by tube rolling, so the balance now is close to where I want it. Depending on the balance of your system, you may suffer the same problem if you get the SLP-05. You decide whether you want your system to have more of that Cary sound or less :)

By the way - are you running balanced I/C's? My system made a vast improvement going from RCA to XLR. So much more dynamic. I can't speak for the LS26, but if you get the SLP-05, make sure you run it balanced.

Cheers and Merry Xmas to you :)
luvwine OP
44 posts
 
Thanks for the comments, Amfibius. Yes, I fully intend to run balanced. It may, for reasons of WAF (or SAF) be necessary to run 15-25 feet from preamp to amps so I will definitely want to be running balanced. It may not, but I don't see any reason to not used balanced connectors.

Thanks and best wishes to you (and all) for a happy holiday season:)
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,219 posts
 
LS-26 is a great value, and much easier to sell as well. I have tried SLP-98 in my system with Cary 500MB monos and found it too dark and muddy sounding. Interestingly, I also got large hum from the speakers (a ground loop of some sort ?) when running SLP-98 and 500MB in unbalanced mode. I have never got tris problem with my Ref 3 (unbalanced or balanced).

I have never had a chance to compare LS-26 vs SLP-05, but based on my limited expirience I would get LS-26 and keep the 500MB (they were outstanding driving both Audiostatic and Magnepans 3.6 in my system).
jim_swantko
301 posts
 
I think it really depends on what sound you are after. I have owned the ARC 26 and a Cary SLP-98 (have listened to the 05 but never lived with one).

The ARC is definetly more analytical and less "tube-like" than the Carys. The 98 is more of a classic tube sound with lots of bloom and warmth. The 05 would fall in the middle of the three. The Carys offer bigger soundstages in my experience.

Both are very well made and have nice features and I doubt you would be disappointed with either. Obviously you like the Cary house sound so that may help the decision... however as some have mentioned it may be too much of a good thing.

I think what you hear with the 17 would be a great indicator of what you will hear with the 26 so I would give it a try and see how you like it. If you like it, you will like the 26 even more.

Hope it helps a little...
luvwine OP
44 posts
 
I ended up picking up an ARC Reference 3. Sounds pretty great so far (system set up yesterday) with the only annoyance being that the display on the preamp is noisy (so I set it to be off). Thanks all for the helpful advice. I would love to try the Cary and will if the opportunity arises for a comparison, but for now I am content.
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