Ls17 se

[Randy Myers]

I am looking at a one year old LS17 SE. Has anyone tried this preamp? I have read a few reviews. One guy was obviously not a ARC fan. Said some good things but mentioned mainly ARC fans would like it, but there were other things he did not like. Picky complaints.

The other reviewers loved it. One guy talked about how he keep the original LS17 in his system after reviewing it, but was going to be replacing it with the SE. He loved it.

[Sharp 2160]

If at all possible audition yourself. That way, YOU know how it sounds. Too many variables reading "reviews". The room size, treatments, related components all need to be factored in. Good luck!

[Randy Myers]

Always great advice and I wish this was an option. I know I would be happy with the quality and features on the ARC. I am just concerned to make sure performance won't be sacrificed.

[mep]

I have owned the LS-17 in the past and never warmed up to it for a number of reasons. I have not heard the LS-17SE so I don't know how much it improved over the LS-17. If you take the plunge and buy a used LS-17SE, make sure you buy it *right* and it comes with all the original boxes and packaging so if you don't like it, you can recover most if not all of your money.

[Randy Myers]

Thanks for the advise. Yes, the one I am considering is only one year old, has original everything.

[Jozua]

Looking forward to hearing your impressions !

The general assumption is that each consecutive LS release is better but that could be a mistake and lead to a disappointment. Rather consider each release as a "slightly" different flavor..each model has it own type of magic...

[Randy Myers]

Well, we will see. Maybe if we can make a deal, otherwise no worries. Have wanted to try an ARC preamp though ...

[Randy Myers]

So I have made a deal to try out this pre-amplifier. I am trading some pieces that are not being used, however I am going to have a chance to try out the ARC pre-amplifier first. If I like it send the trades, if not send the ARC back.... win win... also, the ARC pre is less than a year old, so I am basically getting a brand new Audio Research pre-amplifier if I decide it does the trick for me!

I am excited to try out this pre-amplifier. A good friend in our audio club has one of these and absolutely loves it. So we will see ....

[joeinid]

Congratulations Randy. I’m sure you will love it. Can’t wait for your opinion.

[Jozua]

Randy

If that pre has low hours then hold back with your judgment until you have put on at least 150 hours AND be careful that a poor IC choice does not ruin your impression of the pre.

Just saying....

J

[Randy Myers]

Understood. Not sure how many hours, but I certainly give it some time. I have some good decent IC, not really expensive, but certainly not your run of the mill either.

[Mikado463]

Looking forward to hearing your impressions !

The general assumption is that each consecutive LS release is better but that could be a mistake and lead to a disappointment. Rather consider each release as a "slightly" different flavor..each model has it own type of magic...

I agree, I'm currently on a LS27. I had someone tell me they would buy it, if and when I were to make a change. I had an LS17, no complaints, hopefully you will feel the same !

what preamp will you be replacing ?

[Randy Myers]

Currently using a STP-SE. I have wanted a ARC for a while. I just hope it sounds as good as the STP-SE ... but have to scratch that itch, ya know...

[Randy Myers]

The new pre-amp is here, the new pre-amp is here! Have not had a chance to hook it up yet.... dam yard work ...

[Jozua]

Randy

Your silence says it all... no synergy in your system... ?

It Ok !

Take care

[Randy Myers]

Hehe... I have been busy, and also listening for a bit. So far I am enjoying the ARC. I would say more similarities than differences. It took some swapping around power cables to find the combo I really like.

The LS17SE has great detail, a very deep some stage. The STP-SE is maybe a touch smoother. The one thing the ARC has surprised me in is, I think it is called decay... when you hear strings vibrating after the note has been played. I hear a surprisingly more of this with the ARC.

[Randy Myers]

A friend from the audio club was over yesterday. We listened for a couple hours and then put in some new tubes that just arrived. I know the Electro Harmonix "gold pin" tubes are said to come out of the same factory as the original Sovtek, but they are considered better from many of the reviews I have read. I paid a little extra to get Upscale Audio's Audio Research Select Grade tube. But, I have to say it was worth it.

We listened for an hour or so, not even burnt in yet, just the very slight burn in Upscale puts on them, and we both said.... wow... what a difference. We were both surprised. I did not expect to hear much of a difference, yet alone a big difference, but we both heard a very big difference. Much smoother... he actually commented that the one thing he was not completely happy with the LS17 SE is that he felt it was missing some of the smoothness that my STP-SE had. But with these Gold Pin tubes he commented that it smoothed out and the one thing he did not like was now excellent!

We are both going to suggest to our other friend who has one of these pre-amps that he might want to try these tubes.

The one thing that I have been most surprised with on this ARC pre-amp is how it appears to be more affected by these "tweaks" then other equipment I have owned. Switching power cables was a more noticeable difference then any other piece of gear I have owned. And now a seeming slight upgrade tube and it is a fairly large difference. This leads me to conclude that this pre-amplifier is much more revealing of slight changes then any other piece I have owned.