ARC LS1, LS2, LS3 , or LS7, which to buy?

Guido and Bob (wow, that Bob Wood, thanks for weighing in) I appreciate the continued guidance. Since I no longer sell black tar heroin and rob casinos, I am afraid that the LS5 and Rowlands are out, at least for now ;^). Viridian is a shade of green, as in green with envy over some of the rigs that you guys are running. And Guido, I am not looking for a phono stage, I am happy with the one I have, I was looking for a line stage. If the SP9 came highly recommended and had phono all the better, but it really wasn't on my shopping list. Thanks for the amp info as well!

Hi Marty - I think we all have a more clear view into your budget....looks like the $500-700 range? The ARC pieces in this range are at two extremes: warmth and dimensional but lacking detail that I sense you are after, and the other end which is very analytical and flat. You know the CJ sound of this same time period and that has not worked. What about some of the older Classe or McCormack models? These units were consistently rated as a sound somewhat in the middle. And I have to believe many are in your price range.
John

Thanks John, yes, in my original question I listed the budget at $750.00. I had a Classe 40 I think it was, once, junk really, but the McCormack is a really good idea, I was concerned that the active buffered one has no gain, any thoughts? Great steer, all of the input is greatly appreciated.
Marty

If you are looking for a vacuume tube sound your not going to find it in the LS preamps u mentioned, since they are hybrid designs. I used to own a SP-6B and liked it alot, although working on it is a rather big chore. The 6B has a lumpy frequency response. If you could find an 8B that would be better or a used SP-3 and get it updated when u have more money to spend to a 3C. That has to be sent back to ARC but they totally replace the power supply, tube sockets, coupling caps and volume control as the stock control was a noisy sucker. In this preamp u have defeatable tone controls, a nice feature. It might even drive a high output moving coil, or find a used step up device. BTW Im not a big fan of the SP-9/SP-14 unless their upgraded but they are still hybrids. G.Garfield

I would refer to the LS-2 as the best solid state preamp ARC has made, even though it sports 2 vacume tubes. The line stage is quite a bit more accurate than my SP-8 or SP-10. If a head to head shootout were done on the direct input of the LS-2 versus the line of the SP-10,11, 8, 6 or SP-3,most would find this to be the case. Amazingly, the SP-3A-1 Line stage section is quite a bit more transparent than the 6, 8 or 10 in any iteration.(but coloration is too high) Do I find the LS-2 to be sonically delightful? No,not enough to recommend it.......But, it will more than hold its own against many units at the used asking price. Link it with a D90B series or before 1983 ARC tube amp for best results.