ARC LS17SE vs. LS27 Preamps Critiques?

A

AudioExile

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Anyone had to opportunity to hear the differences between the ARC LS17SE and LS27 preamps? Although I'm sure there is a noticeable difference, is it enough to justify the $3000 price gap???

Thanks
 
Dave...while I have not heard the LS17SE or the LS27 (useful input from me right? :D), I have heard the LS26 and Ref 3 (both of which I owned) and the Ref 5SE and I can tell you in general, there is a noticeable improvement going up the ARC line. This does not mean that the law of diminishing returns does not hold with ARC products, it does. But it does so less so, meaning the step up in performance is generally more easily noticeable in ARC than with some other audio brands I have heard. Having said all that, no one can answer for you your specific question, because only you can answer how much a step up in performance is worth to you in terms of your willingness to pay a specific premium. For one person, the $3K price premium is a no-brainer vs. for another who cannot see $3K worth of improvement. That is the hardest question to answer in the high-end audio business because what each individual is willing to pay for that incremental step up is determined by each individual's passion for the hobby, their ability to discern differences in sonics between gear, their finances, and their personality (always wanting to have the best vs. being happy with good value products), etc...

Having said all of that, my advice is the tried and true, which is try to audition both units side-by-side and see if the difference i worth $3K to you. And I suspect your answer will be the very often cited, "I don't have a local dealer who carries both or either product, which is why i am asking you guys." :D

Hope this helps somehow
 
cmalak said:
Dave...while I have not heard the LS17SE or the LS27 (useful input from me right? :D), I have heard the LS26 and Ref 3 (both of which I owned) and the Ref 5SE and I can tell you in general, there is a noticeable improvement going up the ARC line. This does not mean that the law of diminishing returns does not hold with ARC products, it does. But it does so less so, meaning the step up in performance is generally more easily noticeable in ARC than with some other audio brands I have heard. Having said all that, no one can answer for you your specific question, because only you can answer how much a step up in performance is worth to you in terms of your willingness to pay a specific premium. For one person, the $3K price premium is a no-brainer vs. for another who cannot see $3K worth of improvement. That is the hardest question to answer in the high-end audio business because what each individual is willing to pay for that incremental step up is determined by each individual's passion for the hobby, their ability to discern differences in sonics between gear, their finances, and their personality (always wanting to have the best vs. being happy with good value products), etc...

Having said all of that, my advice is the tried and true, which is try to audition both units side-by-side and see if the difference i worth $3K to you. And I suspect your answer will be the very often cited, "I don't have a local dealer who carries both or either product, which is why i am asking you guys." :D

Hope this helps somehow
Click to expand...

Thanks Cyril. I know these types questions are like trying to hit a moving target. Unfortunately no one in my town carries much of anything. Most good equipment like ARC will be a road trip to buy let alone the to even lay eyes on. I'm sure I'll be more than happy if I take a stab at it.

Thanks again C. :D
 
Dave,I haven't compared the 2 side by side, but have heard both. The LS27 is so good that ARC had to come out with the SE version for the REF 5 because the LS27 was almost as good as the REF 5. I personally think the LS 27 is worth spending the extra cash, but Cyril is right, you need to determine if it's worth it to you !!
 
I recommend you to jump from the LS17se to the REF5. And they are many used in the web
But that's my 2c.
 
MDP said:
Dave,I haven't compared the 2 side by side, but have heard both. The LS27 is so good that ARC had to come out with the SE version for the REF 5 because the LS27 was almost as good as the REF 5. I personally think the LS 27 is worth spending the extra cash, but Cyril is right, you need to determine if it's worth it to you !!
Click to expand...

Thanks much Mark. I think this is the direction I'm heading. I'm not one to jump in and out of equipment, when I buy it I'm going to own it for at least 10 years. So I'm looking for something I'm going to be happy with for some time.

Thanks again. :D
 
Hi Dave,

I currently own a LS27 and I can assure you that it is an excellent preamp in your price range. It plays very close to REF5, the difference between the two is subtle, IMHO.
 
Ricardo Nonato said:
Hi Dave,

I currently own an LS27 and I can assure you that it is a excellent preamp in your price range. It plays very close to REF5, the difference between the two is subtle, IMHO.
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Hi Ricardo,

Appreciate your thoughts on the LS27. Sorry took so long to acknowledge your reply, was with the family in Florida for 10 days. Funny how you sometimes need a vacation after a vacation. ;)

Thanks Again!
 
Ricardo Nonato said:
Hi Dave,

I currently own a LS27 and I can assure you that it is an excellent preamp in your price range. It plays very close to REF5, the difference between the two is subtle, IMHO.
Click to expand...

I just recently traded my Cary Sp98l towards a used AR LS27, wow what a difference. The Cary was a little on the warm side which was kinda pleasant but the LS27 is so neutral with a deep, wide soundstage i went wow, this is really nice. .
 
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