I also upgraded to the LS-9 from the LS-3B, but unlike the previous post, I found the LS-9 to actually sound a little more open than the LS-3B. I had owned the LS-3B for over a year and really liked the sound. It was very open and dynamic, and I found the LS-9 to be equally dynamic while also giving a little more air on the top end. I have talked to many people who have owned the LS-9 and it seems like a real love/hate relationship. Some really love it, and others can't stand it. I would assume that this indicates the preamp is very system dependent, and though I would highly recommend it (the remote is addicting as well), as with any other piece of equipment, it should be auditioned in your own system. I would give it 4 1/2 stars considering its affordable price and remote.

I AUDITIONED THE LS-9 WHILE LOOKING AROUND FOR PRE AMPS. THE AUDIO RESEARCH PLANT IS LOCATED LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY HOME AND I FIGURED HAVING ONE OF THEIR PRODUCTS IN MY SYSTEM WOULD BE FITTING.
UNFORTUNATELY I WAS QUITE DISSAPOINTED AT WHAT I GOT OUT OF THIS PRE. AT $1995. ONE WOULD EXPECT THE BUILD QUALITY TO BE SOLID. HOWEVER THIS WAS NOT THE CASE.THE CABINET TOLERANCES WERE OFF AND THE UNIT JUST DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD SOLID FEEL. ALTHOUGH THE FACE PLATE AND HANDLES ARE NICE LOOKING.

ON TO THE IMPORTANT STUFF. SOUND. I HAVE NO GRIPES ABOUT THE CONTROL SET UP OR THE REMOTE. BUT I WAS VERY SURPRISED AT HOW THIS DEVICE KILLED MY MUSIC. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO GAIN IN THE VOLUME. I WAS ABLE TO MAX IT OUT AND I WAS WONDERING WHERE THE FEEL OF THE MUSIC HAD GONE. THE BASS WAS GONE, THE HIGHS WERE QUESTIONABLE. I TRIED SOME DIFFERENT INTERCONECTS (CD TO PRE) AND WAS ABLE TO GET BETTER HIGHS. BUT THERE IS NO REASON YOU SHOULD BE GETTING LESS FROM A MORE EXPENSIVE PRE AMP.

THE SOUDSTAGE WAS SET WAY BACK. TOO FAR BACK, AND IMAGING WAS ON DECENT BUT AGAIN I WAS EXPECTING IMPROVEMENTS ALL AROUND. I WANTED SO MUCH TO LIKE THIS PRE BUT IT JUST WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN. I EVEN CHECKED MY HOOK UPS TO SEE IF I HAD FAULTED IN THE SET UP . I THEN TOOK IT BACK TO THE AUDIO STORE AND ASKED IF IT WAS POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE. IT WAS NOT.

I DO NOT LIKE TO RIP ON AUDIO GEAR. I BELIEVE PERSONAL TASTE SHOULD BE THE DECIDING FACTOR ON A PURCHASE, BUT FOR ANYBODY LOOKING FOR A PRE AMP IN THIS PRICE RANGE I WOULD NOT SAY THIS IS THE TOP OF THE HEAP.


SYSTEM: BRYSTON 7B-ST MONO BLOCKS
NHT 3.3 SPEAKERS
CAL AUDIO CL-5 CD
TRANSPARENT MUSIC WAVE PLUS CABLE
NBS BALANCED AND STANDARD MINI SERPENT 2 INTERCONECTS
AND NOW THE BRYSTON BP-25 PRE AMP.

SORRY AUDIO REASERCH 2 FOR VALUE AND SOUND.

I had an ARC LS-3 before upgrading (I thought) to the LS-9. Big mistake. The old classic LS-3 had a more open sound. It really disappeared compared to the LS-9. I bought balanced interconnects (XLO Sigs.) for in and out. ARC and the dealer said would double the gain and really open up the sound. It did neither. I lived with this preamp for less than a year and since I had a Levinson amp (332), I sold the ARC on the net a bought a ML 380. It was twice the price(retail) of the LS-9 but has a much smoother open sound. Many veils(sp) removed. If you are thinking about a LS-9, look for an LS-3 or 3B(balanced ins and outs) on the net ($750), save yourself some money and frustration. Of course ARC may have upgraded this pre by now because a lot of die hard ARC fans were disappointed in this unit, me included.

Very quiet, solid build and a volume control which will not develop a noisy pot, and good soundstage and detail dissemination.

Sounds compressed on the high end. I am using this unit with a system including Martin Logan reQuests, which are very telling with regard to any electronics. While most of the range sounds acceptable, I am quickly tiring of the compressed high end. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I had 20-year old ears and hearing.

Anyone want to buy this? I'll make you a good deal.

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