Audio Research LS7 Questions

audioluvr

Looking to upgrade my existing setup a little. Kind of on a tight budget so I was hoping to keep costs down to $500-600 to upgrade my preamp. I currently have a Carver 1.0 amp that has been fully restored with the MK2 upgrade. I can spend an additional $600 on upgrading an old C2 pre or do something else. Locally there is a AR LS7 available for $800 which is more than I wanted to spend but there is something to be said about only having to drive 10 minutes to look at something.

Is this thing worth looking into? No idea what is available as I'm just getting back into this...

tonyb

I wouldn't sink more money into the Carver. Lots of avenues to go down. There is a Maple tree tubed pre on US Audiomart that might fit right in.
http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649405257-mapletree-audio-line-2a-se/

You can also use older high end HT processors as a SS 2 channel pre. Something like this....

http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649400448-anthem-avm-50-preamp-processor-xlr-rca/

Would sound way better than the Carver in my opinion, plus you have the option of using the good dacs built into the Anthem.

audioluvr

Nice! Thanks Tony! Never thought about newer AV. That Anthem looks like a good unit.

SCompRacer

dolsey01 wrote: »

The LS7 was a very nice basic line stage preamp, but just be aware it's about 30+ years old so might need some capacitor replacements. If it's been serviced recently......

Just thought it worth mentioning Audio Research won't divulge anything about service history like some companies will. Some manufacturers will divulge service history if you give them the serial number. Only way is for seller to provide receipt of work performed. Aside from that I like AR gear, have a Ref 3 currently.

tonyb

There's a Ref 5 on Chicago's craigslist for under 500.

SCompRacer

tonyb wrote: »

There's a Ref 5 on Chicago's craigslist for under 500.

Meet in a parking lot and get robbed? lol The 5's still fetch a high price, above 5,000. The Ref 5SE would be a nicer upgrade over a 3, but too much for me.

tonyb

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/ele/d/audio-research-high/6491394207.html

Says nothing about meeting in a parking lot Rich. Unless the dude forgot to add a 0 on the list price. Looks to be an older model anyway, not an SE.

audioluvr

How are the newer Yamaha and Marantz Pre/pro's? Are they worth a look? There are lots of those available but that could mean they are junk too.

tonyb

Doubt you find a current Marantz pre/pro for the size of your budget.

tonyb

The Anthem I posted earlier is one of the better pre/pro's, sound wise, and better than most newer ones. This one is also good....

http://tmraudio.com/product/cn1-50

You can also find B&k REF 30 or Ref 50 for 200-400 bucks which will also make excellent 2 channel ss pre's. All I mentioned have exceptional dacs to use also built in.

Just trying to stay in your posted budget, with something that will give you a sound quality boost over the Carver.

tonyb

Here's a list of pre's in your area....

https://portland.craigslist.org/search/ela?query=pre+amp

Type in B&k, and you'll see a couple steals, like a Ref 50 for 100 bucks. Has no remote but you can pick one up on ebay for around a 50.

tonyb

There is also an Outlaw 950 pre, in your area which is a nice sounding unit as well. If your more into vintage sounds, maybe look at the Sansui 717 or Sansui single digit receivers.

audioluvr

Crap! Those are good deals !(hopefully). What do you look for with good DAC's. Is it newer than a certain year or something? I also saw an Anthem TLP1. Is that good?

SCompRacer

tonyb wrote: »

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/ele/d/audio-research-high/6491394207.html

Says nothing about meeting in a parking lot Rich. Unless the dude forgot to add a 0 on the list price. Looks to be an older model anyway, not an SE.

Ah, SP 5. Reference 5's are a bunch more. From a Ref 3 to a Ref 5 isn't a big jump, but the Ref 5SE is.

tonyb

audioluvr wrote: »

Crap! Those are good deals !(hopefully). What do you look for with good DAC's. Is it newer than a certain year or something? I also saw an Anthem TLP1. Is that good?

The TLP gets mixed reviews, some love it, some not so much.

Depending on your source, using a processor, especially a higher end one, you have greater flexibility. You can use the dacs in your cdp, or the dacs in the processor. An option you don't have with a strictly analog pre amp. The pre amp sections on these processors are well built also and most retailed north of 2-3k when new.

You also gain more level of control in tailoring the sound to your liking as most processors have numerous ways to do so.

audioluvr

Looks like I'm going to go pick up the B&K reference 50 tomorrow after work. Looks like a sweet unit. Thanks for all the help!

tonyb

Cool, not much to lose there. You could resell it for twice as much. Start looking for a remote, you kinda need it for programing or it can be a tedious affair doing it manually by that small screen.

Make sure it works too....that price is so low it warrants a bit of sceptism.

kharp1

audioluvr wrote: »

Looks like I'm going to go pick up the B&K reference 50 tomorrow after work. Looks like a sweet unit. Thanks for all the help!

Be cautious on the 50, I have one sitting collecting dust. They have a known issue with software making it lock up. There is a company, the name escapes me (SMC maybe?) that does B&K repair.

audioluvr

Will do. This will be used for my 2 ch system

kharp1

Doesn't matter if it's 2 or 5 channel, it's completely software driven.

audioluvr

Thanks for the heads up. A Google search revealed a company called Stargate Electronics that bought all the B&K parts when they went out of business. Luckily I checked it out and it works great after spending 2 hours trying to figure out why there was no bass coming out of my speakers... Tons of contour features I had to wade through but I think I got them all turned off. Also was given a free Cambridge Audio DVD player.

kharp1

That the one. Trying to decide if I want to send my 50 in, or, just toss it in the dumpster that I'm suing while cleaning out my junk. I'm leaning towards tossing.

audioluvr

Just spent a couple hours listening to this thing and I can't believe how good it sounds! It's making my Klipsch KG4's sound almost as good as my 1C's! Can't wait to hear it with my 1C's. Hey if you toss it send me your remote. I don't have one

tonyb

audioluvr wrote: »

Just spent a couple hours listening to this thing and I can't believe how good it sounds! It's making my Klipsch KG4's sound almost as good as my 1C's! Can't wait to hear it with my 1C's. Hey if you toss it send me your remote. I don't have one

Glad your digging it. Told ya bro....good sound on the cheap. Running it in 2 channel right ? Speakers at large ?

The amount of adjustments to tailor the sound is almost....dare I say....too much. You'll never run out of inputs though, that's for sure. Rock on man.

tonyb

I might also add, if your inclined to do so, that the Anthem processor may be a better match with the Klipsch, and the B&k for the 1C's. The Anthem has an even smoother sound to it which may benefit the forwardness of the Klipsch. Just a thought....

If your a happy camper, then leave well enough alone. Keep an eye out though, these higher end processors often come up cheap. I would highly suggest keeping an eye out for a Cary cinema processor, A Classe....but only for the 1c's, might be too forward with the Klipsch.

audioluvr

This is my main 2 channel pre for my SDA 1C's (still waiting for the crossovers to come back). I think I am going to keep an eye out though to update my Sony AVR. Thanks for all the help!