Price Paid:  $1650.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
I had always used solid state amplifiers and was satisfied with them for the most part but was curious about what the "tube freaks" were addicted to. So I selected the LS22 based upon reviews and the great deals available and picked one up on the used market and plugged it in to see what I would get. WOW! a truly great sounding piece of gear. Perhaps the best improvement I have heard from a component change in my system and it definitely beat the 3 solid state preamps that I had on hand. I regret not using tube amps before. The biggest change was in the highs and mids. The excessive sibilance on some vocals was gone. The sense of the presence of a performer in the room was startling on some recordings. Soundstage was markedly improved. I'm sold. I have used this preamp with a Bryston 4BST, an Audio Research VT100 II and a SIM Audio W5. The Sim Audio amp is my favorite and together the LS22 and the W5 are a fabulous combination. Surely, there are many great preamps out there and in my experience, this is one of them.

Strengths:
Midrange! Soundstage! Value on the used market.

Weaknesses:
You'll probably question my objectivity but I really have no criticism of this component.

Similar Products Used:
My system today:
ARC LS22
Sim Audio W-5
Sony SCD-1
Proac 2.5
Tara Labs Decade cables

Price Paid:  $1875.00 from Ebay

Summary:
I have owned many preamps in the last 20 years. Many got me a crystal clear window to the overall musical landscape. Examples include Pass Labs Aleph L with 1.2 version board and Mod Squad Deluxe with latest mods. One had incredible dynamics and drive: Audio Research LS3B. Another had detail, extended bass, and richness: Threshold T3i or the Aragon Aurum with the cap upgrade. But never had I have a preamp that made the music take such a presence in my room. If the transparent preamps give you a Windex wiped window to the overall landscape where all can be seen the ARC LS22 gives you a telescope to the vital elements of the music. The airy breathing around voices and instruments seems to be part of that vital message. I have the Infinicap upgrade, which I understand gives a dramatic change to bass authority. I use this preamp in a second system to great affect with a YBA 2HCDT power amp with Synergistic Research AC Master Coupler (the Black Mamba cord made things quiter but seemed to make things to laid back). With 8-6922 tubes driving the system you have a very strong driving preamp as well. I look forward to purchasing a Audio Research Reference series preamp for my main system. But I suspect I will be very content with my LS-22 for a very long time.

Strengths:
Makes you stop worrying about minor details of specifications and gets you front center stage to the music: Fast and NOW ! Great flexibility with both RCA and XLR inputs and outputs.

Weaknesses:
Non-detachable power cord. Some tubes can make the ARC-LS22 seem to give a bit too much etch to the sound. I have great results with a variety of tubes including Siemens and Mullard Gold Pins. The Infinicap upgrade really is worth it. Takes preamp to another level.

Similar Products Used:
Aleph L, Aragon Aurum with upgraded factory caps, Threshold T3i, Audio Research LS3B, Mod Squad Deluxe, Adcom GFP-750.

Price Paid:  $1875.00 from Ebay

Summary:
I have owned many preamps in the last 20 years. Many got me a crystal clear window to the overall musical landscape. Examples include Pass Labs Aleph L with 1.2 version board and Mod Squad Deluxe with latest mods. One had incredible dynamics and drive: Audio Research LS3B. Another had detail, extended bass, and richness: Threshold T3i or the Aragon Aurum with the cap upgrade. But never had I have a preamp that made the music take such a presence in my room. If the transparent preamps give you a Windex wiped window to the overall landscape where all can be seen the ARC LS22 gives you a telescope to the vital elements of the music. The airy breathing around voices and instruments seems to be part of that vital message. I have the Infinicap upgrade, which I understand gives a dramatic change to bass authority. I use this preamp in a second system to great affect with a YBA 2HCDT power amp with Synergistic Research AC Master Coupler (the Black Mamba cord made things quiter but seemed to make things to laid back). With 8-6922 tubes driving the system you have a very strong driving preamp as well. I look forward to purchasing a Audio Research Reference series preamp for my main system. But I suspect I will be very content with my LS-22 for a very long time.

Strengths:
Makes you stop worrying about minor details of specifications and gets you front center stage to the music: Fast and NOW ! Great flexibility with both RCA and XLR inputs and outputs.

Weaknesses:
Non-detachable power cord. Some tubes can make the ARC-LS22 seem to give a bit too much etch to the sound. I have great results with a variety of tubes including Siemens and Mullard Gold Pins. The Infinicap upgrade really is worth it. Takes preamp to another level.

Similar Products Used:
Aleph L, Aragon Aurum with upgraded factory caps, Threshold T3i, Audio Research LS3B, Mod Squad Deluxe, Adcom GFP-750.

Summary:
Having owned the Audible Illusions 3A (stereophile recommended component),I thought this was my last update.But since i borrowed the ARC LS22 from my friend and put it in my system,wow what a big change.The LS22 gives me richer sound,tighter bass,more detail while the 3A is kind of flat in sound.Well,with around 2k,you can't go wrong with the 3A,but if you lucky enough,you can get the LS22 just around that price on the used market.That's what i got mine.One thing i like about the LS22 is it gives you the choice of running both XLR and RCA.

Strengths:
Rich,detail sound,accepting both XLR and RCA

Weaknesses:
non detachable AC cord

Summary:
For 20 years I have owned solid state amplifiers and have always been beenlistening to new pre-amps to upgrade my system. Over the years I have not
been able to find a new pre-amp that was worth buying because the improvement
in sound was not worth the money. After listening to the Bryston, Mark Levenson, Krell, and Audio Research LS9 and LS3 (all solid state) I was ready to give up again. Then the dealer said to try Vacuum tube amps. So I listened to a LS15 and could not believe my ears! It was MUSIC, it sounded as if the
Brass and Woodwind instruments were in the room playing. This just made HiFi exciting to me again. So I started to listen and compare tube preamps. I listened to the LS22 and was very happy with the realism it brought to the musical instruments. (I listen to Jazz and Rock music). I recommend to all people looking for new amps to give tube amps a chance. It has brought a new world of home audio to me. I have owned the LS22 two years now, and bought a tube Power amp 1 year ago. The LS22 is a basic pre-amp, it has the basic controls with many inputs, and outputs for 2 power amps. (SE or BALANCED) Just what I need.

My system now:
Audio Researh LS22
Audio Research VT100 mkII
Audio Research CD2
Magneplanar MG 3.5
NBS Interconnects

Good Luck