What's Wrong With The LS-26??

CDLehner

CDLehner

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Certainly correct me if I'm wrong; but I think, for the most part...I've heard you guys, sh*t on the 26.

Sure...the 27, Ref 3, Ref 5, etc; must be better. But what's so bad...about the 26?

It's what I can afford; or am I almost better off, with an 25 mkI? Because I do like the idea, of being able to roll 6922s...rather than being stuck, with the "super-tubes".
 
I was only 5 when they made the LS-26, so I can't comment.

I think it came with a free Nixon poster though.


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Nothing is wrong with it but there is nothing special about it either. It's a "ehh" piece.

For the money it could be a great find.

Just my $.02
 
Chris your killing me. This is a lightly used model with super low hours only taken out on sunny Sunday test drives.
 
Sorry Chris I was trying to be funny. I understand completely about budgets and if I could I would be shipping it to you tomorrow.

What other preamps are in your search?


CDLehner said:
But I said that in the OP Marty; just not in the budget right now. :(

I was only being sarcastic, in response to MEPs remark.
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Mike said:
I was only 5 when they made the LS-26, so I can't comment.

I think it came with a free Nixon poster though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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You guys are droll, I'll give ya that; but for the record...it was discontinued, in 2010.
 
Chris I have a N100H too so just buy the Gustard x20 and you will have the DAC and preamp covered. What's your budget or a power amp?
 
Chris...I started with the LS-26 before moving to the Ref3. Had it for about 1 year. There is nothing wrong with the LS-26. As to your question about the LS-25 MkI vs the LS-26, there is a difference. The LS-25 Mk II onwards marked ARC's switch to a more modern neutral sound in their preamps coinciding with the switch to the 6H30 tubes in their pres. The LS-25 Mk I will have a more traditionally lush, midrange-focused tube sound (not as lush as old school CJ but still tubey). So on that front, it depends on what sound you would like. From the LS-25MK II/Ref 3 on, the ARC preamp sound tends to be neutral/even across the frequency band, presenting a lot of detail/resolution/see through qualities into the music, a smooth continuous progression of the musical thread, good dynamic swings/peaks, and presenting a 3 dimensional stage with good imaging on that stage. What you get as you move up the lines in ARC generally is more of these traits as you move up (more detail/resolution, more articulated strong bass, greater dynamics, greater dimensionality, etc...).

Hope this helps.
 
cmalak said:
Chris...I started with the LS-26 before moving to the Ref3. Had it for about 1 year. There is nothing wrong with the LS-26. As to your question about the LS-25 MkI vs the LS-26, there is a difference. The LS-25 Mk II onwards marked ARC's switch to a more modern neutral sound in their preamps coinciding with the switch to the 6H30 tubes in their pres. The LS-25 Mk I will have a more traditionally lush, midrange-focused tube sound (not as lush as old school CJ but still tubey). So on that front, it depends on what sound you would like. From the LS-25MK II/Ref 3 on, the ARC preamp sound tends to be neutral/even across the frequency band, presenting a lot of detail/resolution/see through qualities into the music, a smooth continuous progression of the musical thread, good dynamic swings/peaks, and presenting a 3 dimensional stage with good imaging on that stage. What you get as you move up the lines in ARC generally is more of these traits as you move up (more detail/resolution, more articulated strong bass, greater dynamics, greater dimensionality, etc...).

Hope this helps.
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Cyril, yes; that's why I specifically mentioned...the 25 mkI. I have hesitations, about the 6H30 tube; is it too linear, you can't really roll it, etc.

But WTH; I bought the 26 (and not for $3k BTW; but for what I was considering buying it for, I'd need a 27 at $3k, to move up).
 
CDLehner said:
Cyril, yes; that's why I specifically mentioned...the 25 mkI. I have hesitations, about the 6H30 tube; is it too linear, you can't really roll it, etc.

But WTH; I bought the 26 (and not for $3k BTW; but for what I was considering buying it for, I'd need a 27 at $3k, to move up).
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:lol:
 
That's correct. It does. The LS-25 mk I was the last preamp in the LS series (non-Reference) that had the 6922s in it. Not sure what you are mixed up about but hope that helps.
 
Thanks Cyril, must have been the way I read the post Chris made, all clear now.

Hey Chris congrats on the LS-26 purchase. The Sovtek and EH 6H30 give you some tube rolling options depending on the flavor you are after. Beware of the fake DR super tubes, lots floating around.

cmalak said:
That's correct. It does. The LS-25 mk I was the last preamp in the LS series (non-Reference) that had the 6922s in it. Not sure what you are mixed up about but hope that helps.
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