Finally got around to listening to Audio Research's New LS-26 today. I was at Overture Audio in Wilmington, De. where they had set - up the LS-26 vs. LS-17, source was ARC CD player, Classe' 200w amp, Vantage Speakers, MIT interconnects. For listening purposes I brought: Chuck Mangione's "Childern of Sanchez", Tchaikovsky's "Piano Concerto No. 3", and Beegie Adair "Jazz on Broadway". I'll leave the flowery addjectives and metaphors for the writers of the various audio rags and just say that anybody in the market for a new pre-amp in the 5-6k range should give the LS-26 a serious listen. The new LS-17 is very good in its own right, but when going between the two it is as if another "veil" has been lifted and your even closer to the "live source" with the LS-26.
When listening to Mangione's Childern of Sanchez his Fugle horn never sounded so good as well as the uncanny ability to clearly discern between crash, ride and high-hat cymbals. We all know how great a job our M/L's do with piano, well Tchaikovsky's piano concherto #3 was most impressive, it's a shame he only wrote one movement before he died.
The topology of the pre-amp is closely tied to the ref#3(2-6H30P dual triode tubes complimented by a Hybrid JET circuit). Front panel is a smaller version of the Ref#3 as well.
All in all, a very enjoyable way to spend ones lunch hour. Now if only that kid of mine would have decided to elope, instead were heading to Mexico for a wedding next week ! Ah the wheels are spinning !!!
When listening to Mangione's Childern of Sanchez his Fugle horn never sounded so good as well as the uncanny ability to clearly discern between crash, ride and high-hat cymbals. We all know how great a job our M/L's do with piano, well Tchaikovsky's piano concherto #3 was most impressive, it's a shame he only wrote one movement before he died.
The topology of the pre-amp is closely tied to the ref#3(2-6H30P dual triode tubes complimented by a Hybrid JET circuit). Front panel is a smaller version of the Ref#3 as well.
All in all, a very enjoyable way to spend ones lunch hour. Now if only that kid of mine would have decided to elope, instead were heading to Mexico for a wedding next week ! Ah the wheels are spinning !!!
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