[Dirt Ft.]

Hello All,

I've been lurking for a while now, mostly since I bought my 14B SST2 (April) which I'm very very happy with. Now it is time for me to start thinking about a new Pre  and I'm looking for some thoughts and advice from the members here

Currently I'm running an Esoteric X-05 SACD player into an April Music Stello Ai500 integrated using the pre outs in it (will be sold off once I decide on a pre) to feed the big Bryston, in turn the Bryston pushes a set of Harbeth SHL5's. Overall I'm pretty pleased with the system but I'm thinking using the Stello as a pre is my current weak link. My room is properly treated and I'm not trying to "fix" anything just want to complete taking the system to the next level.

I'm thinking of the ARC LS27 or Aesthetix Calypso Signature version for my new pre but unfortunately due to geographic location can't demo either. I've done my due diligence internet research and talked to my current dealers and now I'd like the AudioCircle members opinions and thoughts of the match I'm considering or something else that I should consider. Please note that full remote functionality is a must and preferably 4 or less tubes with both balanced in/out.

Thanks for any input you may have, it is appreciated!

Ken

[drummermitchell]

Arc pre's sound great with Bryston power(I had auditioned a Ref 5)last year to see the tube side.
Now I have a Vac Sig MKIIA pre(4 tubes)that I use along with my 26.
I

[PRELUDE]

Hello All,

I've been lurking for a while now, mostly since I bought my 14B SST2 (April) which I'm very very happy with. Now it is time for me to start thinking about a new Pre  and I'm looking for some thoughts and advice from the members here

Currently I'm running an Esoteric X-05 SACD player into an April Music Stello Ai500 integrated using the pre outs in it (will be sold off once I decide on a pre) to feed the big Bryston, in turn the Bryston pushes a set of Harbeth SHL5's. Overall I'm pretty pleased with the system but I'm thinking using the Stello as a pre is my current weak link. My room is properly treated and I'm not trying to "fix" anything just want to complete taking the system to the next level.

I'm thinking of the ARC LS27 or Aesthetix Calypso Signature version for my new pre but unfortunately due to geographic location can't demo either. I've done my due diligence internet research and talked to my current dealers and now I'd like the AudioCircle members opinions and thoughts of the match I'm considering or something else that I should consider. Please note that full remote functionality is a must and preferably 4 or less tubes with both balanced in/out.

Thanks for any input you may have, it is appreciated!

Ken

This might give you an idea.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=95073.0

[klao]

I think either Aesthetix or ARC preamp would sound very nice with your 14B-SST2. 

Used to have both the Calypso Signature and the Ref40AE in my system at the same time.  The latter sounded better with my 7B-SST2 amps, though, but of course.  Anyhow, I did let the Ref40AE go and am happily keeping the Calypso Signature.

To be sure, I'd suggest you get preowned units of both preamps to compare in your own system.  I guess you won't lose much to sell either one (or both) later. 

Have fun.

P.S. If you think you'll enjoy tube rolling, ARC might not be fun.

[BrysTony]

I have been using an ARC LS27 with my 7BSST² amps for a year now.  I am very pleased with the combination in all aspects of the sound.  Also, of importance to me is its' feature set including: HT pass through, balanced and single-ended connectors for each input and output, capability to set the gain for each input and control of all functions by a remote control.

Tony

[tdinut]

Arc pre's sound great with Bryston power(I had auditioned a Ref 5)last year to see the tube side.
Now I have a Vac Sig MKIIA pre(4 tubes)that I use along with my 26.
I

I just placed an order for the same preamp - VAC Sig IIa. How do you like it? Do you still feel it mates well with your amps?

Thanks!

[drummermitchell]

She's staying home,actually I sent her on a bit of a holiday and checkup+tube switch upgrade( about 3 months ago).
Vac gave her a complete physical.I don't have the PH stage.
I like her a lot more than the Ref 5 and that's saying something,And she's just 3yrs.old,still a baby.
She mates superbly with the 28's,if she didn't she'd be evicted ,I'm sure you'll be happy with the Vac for a long time.

[tdinut]

She's staying home,actually I sent her on a bit of a holiday and checkup+tube switch upgrade( about 3 months ago).
Vac gave her a complete physical.I don't have the PH stage.
I like her a lot more than the Ref 5 and that's saying something,And she's just 3yrs.old,still a baby.
She mates superbly with the 28's,if she didn't she'd be evicted ,I'm sure you'll be happy with the Vac for a long time.

Thank you very much! That's what I like to read I think I'll see it in about 2-4 weeks. I can not wait.

[drummermitchell]

I assure you,its worth the wait,even though weeks seem like............................. .

[larevoj]

I pair my 4BSST2 with ARC REF5SE and its a great match. 

[Ron D]

I have just moved from my ARC LS-26 up to a Ref 3 - pretty nice jump up in resolution and depth of field when mated to my 7B-SST2s.

I did see the big VAC preamp at the Toronto show this weekend and I do lust after that piece, sadly only in my dreams

[Dirt Ft.]

Well I've ordered an LS27, should have it within a week or 2 hopefully  I'll let everyone know how it all is once settled in. I'm not a tube roller in general so kinda like the idea of only 2 tubes plus I have had experience with the 6H30's that are in it and will likely swap out the Sovteks that come with it for some Reflektor 6H30- DR's at some point

Thanks all for the thoughts and your experiences, it helped!

Ken

[tdinut]

I have just moved from my ARC LS-26 up to a Ref 3 - pretty nice jump up in resolution and depth of field when mated to my 7B-SST2s.

I did see the big VAC preamp at the Toronto show this weekend and I do lust after that piece, sadly only in my dreams

Congrats Ron! I am glad ARC preamps are a great match.

[tdinut]

Well I've ordered an LS27, should have it within a week or 2 hopefully  I'll let everyone know how it all is once settled in. I'm not a tube roller in general so kinda like the idea of only 2 tubes plus I have had experience with the 6H30's that are in it and will likely swap out the Sovteks that come with it for some Reflektor 6H30- DR's at some point

Thanks all for the thoughts and your experiences, it helped!

Ken

Congratulations Ken,

Good luck with the LS27. Please let us know how it works out. A photo would be great when you are ready.

[Ron D]

Ken - as far as NOS tubes go my very limited experience has been after buying a pair from Partsconnexion (reportedly to be and priced accordingly NOS 6H30-DR) I didn't experience a large change from the stock tubes from ARC in my LS-26. Now maybe they needed much more than the less than 100 hours I had on them to settle in, not sure? Nice thing about the LS-27 is that it only requires 2 of them so it won't be a huge cost if you make the move to get some. Now that I have 5 in my Ref 3 and based on my prior limited experience I am not motivated to get some any time soon.

Admittedly with my limited time with the NOS tubes I am far from an expert so take what I say with a grain of salt but I did talk to someone who sells a lot of tube equipment and his experience was that these NOS 6H30 tubes made the most impact when used in a source as opposed to a preamp. Again just someone's opinion and no doubt you'll have a lot of hours of enjoyment on your new LS-27 well before you get the itch to swap in NOS tubes