[Larkston Zinaspic]

I've been trying to figure out how I can upgrade my current system without getting completely ridiculous, and I thought perhaps my preamp would be a logical place to start (I think). My Audio Research LS2 line stage has served me well, but since it is a bit long in the tooth I guess, I was considering that perhaps a new Candela would fit the bill well to pair with the Dual Mono Klaus built me last year.

I now have the Promitheus Dual Box TVC "running in" for the past 2 weeks, and was really hoping these would be what I was looking for...but I just plugged in the LS2 again, and I think the TVC made me appreciate the old active preamp even more. Not quite what I was looking for. Doh!

So, any opinions on this? I suppose there are "mods" and "upgrade" services for the LS2, but what some of these techs charge could probably go towards the cost of the Candela...I'm a bit on the fence about it.

If all else fails, I suppose a speaker upgrade could be next...a used pair of Acoustic Zen Adagios are looking mighty sweet about now  aa, but I have too many bills to pay at the moment.

[woodsyi]

If you already have Odyssey amps, it would make sense to go with Candela.  I am sure Klaus voiced the preamp to mate well with his SS amps.  When we recently did a preamp shoot out, Candela came out a little on the warm side of neutral but it was paired with tube amps.  It was mentioned then that Candela may be very good with SS amps. 

FWIW, all my experience with ARC gear is that they have very neutral (generic?) voice.  In that sense Candela may sound warmer than your LS2.  FYI, the other tubed active linestages, to which Candela sounded warmer in a shootout, were Modwright SWLP 9.0 and SAS 11A.  Good luck.

[TomS]

As many on this circle can attest, Candela is a great preamp.  Can't go wrong.  I've had good results myself with NO preamp (Bolder SB2 - Burson buffer - Odyssey mono SE's).  It depends on what you're after that the "old" preamp does or does not do.

Have you considered sending your LS2 to Steve Huntley at Great Northern Sound Company (GNSC)?  He can do wonders with most ARC pieces.

Tom

[mcullinan]

If it is a logical answer, buy mine:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1194186140

Mike  aa

[Cactus Bob]

I've been running the Candela through a pair of Mono SE's for about 6 months -
like previously mentioned, a good match. It needs to be turned up a bit to balance out and start provoking those appreciative smiles but the honeymoon continues ... for the most part. I've done a bit of tube rolling to see what happens, but am back with the original Tesla ECC82's supplied by Klaus. Bottom line - really a nice pre-amp with the Mono SE's, especially if you like to keep some tubes in the system.

[mcullinan]

I've been running the Candela through a pair of Mono SE's for about 6 months -
like previously mentioned, a good match. It needs to be turned up a bit to balance out and start provoking those appreciative smiles but the honeymoon continues ... for the most part. I've done a bit of tube rolling to see what happens, but am back with the original Tesla ECC82's supplied by Klaus. Bottom line - really a nice pre-amp with the Mono SE's, especially if you like to keep some tubes in the system.

Have you tried the 1950 RCA Cleartops... Very Nice. Sweet top and tight bass.
Mike

[Cactus Bob]

Thanks Mike, I'm game. Any noticeable gain increase/decrease?