About 8 years of reliable performance with very neutral sound. The colorations of different recordings become very obvious. This can be a problem with cd's, especially the earlier ones that were so sloppily transferred from analogue to the low fidelity digital format. This preamp can still be very rewarding with properly recorded cd's (if there is such a thing), but be careful in choosing a cd player.

Toggle switches sometimes fail to operate properly, especially if not used often. This has been easy to fix simply by flipping the switch a dozen of so times. A minor complaint that hasn't detracted from the overall pleasure this product has provided for so many years.

This is definitely a class A preamp. The level of detail is amazing, and even more so considering the lack of harshness prsent with most other "detailed" preamps. AR really got this one right. Like other equipment of this caliber, be careful when choosing associated equipment, especially the cd player if you are unfortunate enough, like me, to have this as the sole source. The Meridian 206 was an excellent match to the LS3 for about 10 years, until it finally started acting erratically (the cd player, not the preamp). The LS3 also has exceptional bass response when used with an amp of the same capability, and is a truly neutral sounding piece of equipment.

Similar Products Used:

Forte Model 4, Meridian 206, Linn Classik, NAD C340, B&W Matrix 804's, Rogers LS3/5A

Incredibly low noise floor, detail in bags, voices in the room. Simply plays any music!

Uummm, errr, oh yea; with a fine bottle of whisky you tend to get up and boogy too much which could be bad for your heart.

I bought this product simply because it was cheap and I wanted to evaluate the ARC sound on a permanat basis, and man was I glad I did. Imediatly the system came to life, sheer power came out of the ATC 20 active speakers. Presentation was out of the box! Music flowed seamlessly out and for sure it was music! Over a warm in period of 1 day a grainless, sweet, super detailed sound radiated into the room driving your body to get up and boogy. Finally the Tom evans the groove's super silent noise floor could be heard; what a phono stage! what a pre amp! The SME model 20 was now without doubt trully worth the investment. I wonder what the more expensive Arc amps are like?

sound openess detail smoothness and build

dont make them anymore

One of the best built preamps and sounding you can get your hands on. Ar built this pre like no other has rel caps and alps contolles. just beautiful, the sound is very neautral and open if you can use the direct mode for you main sorce if you can. It sounds the best. one other nice tweak is if you know somebody handy with electronics put a new iec socket in back and get ride of that fixed corg I did that and hooked up a MIT z cord 2 and made a huge diffence. I believe they made this unit from 1992-1996 if you can find this piece please try it out your jaw will hit the floor on how good this piece is all of Ar othe ls pres don't even come a little close to the ls-3. This thing is so open detailed and smooth not harsh at all,you would think you had tubes in it.

Similar Products Used:

marsh,parasound audible illusions rogue

Very smooth yet detailed sounding, perfect recreation of human voice.

I tried so hard to find some kind of fault or find something which is lacking in this pre, but there is nothing that I wish it had nor I wish it didn't. As I have said in my review above it is indeed very well balanced sounding preamp.

This is truly a great preamp. When I installed it into my system, there were three things I noticed, the human voice which I found very life like, very real, very smooth and clear, I can understand the words clearly of every song that I play. Secondly, the detail of music, you could hear deep into music and hear every single instrument on the recording. The third thing I notice is that it is very well balance and non-fatigue sounding. No wonder it was rated class "A" by Stereophile magazine. The unit I got has balanced outputs and 7 inputs in total, three main outputs including the balanced output. It is in great condition, looks almost brand new. I always wanted an Audio Research pre but a non-tube one and finally I got one which makes real music. Buy one if you can find one in used market, I gurantee, you will be very very happy with this preamp. I am going to keep and enjoy this one for a long long time.

Similar Products Used:

VTL, MaCormack TLC, Creek P43, Denon PRA 1500,

Dynamic; wide soundstage, musical

A bit harsh on the highs

This is one of the best preamps for the money. I've had it for over 3 months, and it never fails to deliver rhythm to the music. It mates very well with the McCormack DNA-0.5 Rev. A amp, which is a very neutral amp. Four stars for the preamp, but for value it's definitely 5 stars.

Equipment:

McCormack DNA-0.5 Rev. A
Advanced Akustics Custom Monitors
Audioquest Lapis Silver
Audioquest Midnight+
Pioneer DV-626D

I have enjoyed my LS3 for 3 years now. Hard to imagine a rational person deciding to spend 4 times as much to get 10 percent more. The new ARC tube designs (above the 22) are sweeter but maybe not as accurate. ARC is an excellent company with good support. Understandable that Stereophile rated this Class A.

The LS3 is a solid-state line stage preamplifier from Audio Research that originally listed for $1495 when new, and can be had for $800-1000 on the used market, depending on whether or not the particular unit has the $500 optional remote.
While ARC has not had the success with their solid state designs as they have had with their legendary tubes, the LS3 to a certain degree transcends the solid state vs. tube debate. I bought an LS3 around three years ago to use in the context of a Proceed PDT3/Wadia 12/McCormack DNA-1/Totem Model 1 system. The LS3 was the perfect addition, and in some ways that was the best system I've ever assembled. I also auditioned the McCormack TLC-1 passive buffered preamp and the Conrad Johnson PV11L tube line stage at the time; I had been using a homemade passive pot after starting with the lowly NAD 1600, and while I loved the transparency of the passive, I missed the dynamics and snap of an active preamp. I had high hopes for the TLC-1, as I loved the DNA-1. Unfortunatley, perhaps due to a certain incompatability with my system, the TLC-1 simply didn't work--the midrange was unnaturally forward, the highs and bass recessed. Next came the cj. A better balance overall, but severe lack of focus...the image wandered, and things just sounded too fuzzy. Finally I brought home the LS#. Unbelievable. My system was transformed. The sound snapped into focus, the detail was incredible without being harsh or fatiguing, and the dynamics were simply incredible. It's the kind of thing that you don't realize you're missing until you've had it. Favorite CDs sounded so much more alive and 'live' with the Audio Research. It is also a joy to use, with the feel of a true luxury product. While some might prefer the more 'bloomy' sound provided by a tube preamp, if you're looking for a neutral, dynamic, and transparent line stage, the ARC LS3 will likely make you happy for a long time.

Read the preceeding reviews and get a clue that this minimalist preamplifier is one heck of a good deal. AR build quality is top shelf and they back up their stuff with outstanding service. You can get a remote volume and mute and ballanced options anytime, just send it on in. The controlls have a feel about them that just gets to you, makes you think about what you're doing. I have a weird feeling about the faceplate and handles, since there's nothing heavy about this thing, but I guess looks count for something and some people get off on that You're-in-the-army-now look. I bought purely on price and reputation. I have the black one and listen in the dark anyway. Got mine used for about $900 with box and sent to AR for a manual and schematic for another $8. After listening (replaced the highly-regarded Adcom GFP 565) I went right out and got a used pH3 to match. I am so pleased with this AR gear. It's the first time I can honestly say that the electronics really make a difference in the enjoyment of music. I use them with a VPI HW-19 Mk. 4 / SME V / Blue Point Special, AQ Ruby, McCormack DNA 0.5 (is now with Steve McCormack to become a SMcAudio Revision A, review to follow), AQ midnightIII-Bi, Celestion SL600Si in the small, critical listening room (ok, it's just a spare bedroom with foam on the ceiling). High Resolution is definately the active buzz here. Every subtile change in speaker placement is as obvious as a rainbow. Now I wonder if tubes are worth the bother--is a nice AR VT series tube amp in my future?? No points off for appearance--it works!

The Audio Research LS3 linestage preamplifier is simply a terrific, most affordable (especially on the used market)product that makes mintzmeat out of many more expensive products. It simple lets the signal (music) flow through it very much unscathed. That is what the best audio reproduction equipment is supposed to do. A big five speakers in its price range and quite a bit beyond.

fine bass, tranparent, very affordable at the used market

need some more 'air', the power switch is not as reliable as the other switches

I have had this unit since 1995 and I find the unit very satisfying. This unit is perfect for me if it has more airiness that I heard from CJ PV 12 or AR LS2. For the price (currently 600-700), however, I have not heard its equal. Before I bought the unit, I compare it with Melos SHA1 (overemphasis on treble) and Sonic Frontier SFL1 (not enough bass).

Functionally the unit has been reliable, but I notice that as time goes by, it is more difficult to turn on the preamp.
Therefore I leave it on mute(standby position) all the time.
Other than that, the unit has been very reliable.

I was told that my preamp is the early version unit that has a defective power switch. The switch can be replaced by the Audio Research dealer if you contact the manufacturer.

Also for people who leave in humid weather, the metal screws that hold the faceplate will get rusty quite fast.

I used the preamp with my present system as follows:

Amp: Classe DR15
Preamp: AR LS3
CD: JVC 1050
Speakers: Proac Response 1s and Mirage 1

If I were in the market for preamp again, I would not hesitate to get the same preamp again.

Similar Products Used:

Melos SHA 1, Classe DR6