Tested with following system components: Nakamichi CD4 CD player
Transparent Musiclink Interconnect (CD to preamp)
Cardas Gold Cross Interconnect (preamp to amp)
ARC 100.2 amplifier
Tara Labs Prizm Biwire cables
Magnepan 2.7QR
M&K THX 5000 subwoofer

I tested a number of preamps for settling on the LS-9, including the ARC LS-22, Classe CP-45, Adcom GFP 750, and several Bryston linestages.

The LS-9 achieved a superior balance between value and performance. Sonically, its best feature is its noise floor, which is incredibly low -- virutally bottomless. The Classe and Bryston preamps were incapable of such low noise floor. To get the Adcom even remotely quiet required that it be operated in passive mode, which resulted in a significant gain reduction. Indeed, it was the noise of these units which took them out of the running.

The only other piece I auditioned with a similarly bottomless noise floor was the ARC LS-22 (now being replaced by the LS-25). However, the LS-22 runs approximately twice the price of the LS-9.

The other performance clincher that earned the LS-9 a permanent home in system was its superior definition and accuracy. Although the LS-22 is one of ARC's higher end pieces, I felt that it softened the sound a bit too much. The LS-9 seemed to retain all the warmth and musicality I hoped for, while giving me a little more punch, tightness and definition. Attack speed and transient response were a little better with the LS-9 in my system than with the LS-22, although the difference was ever so slight.

I have only two criticisms of the LS-9. First, it has barely enough inputs. You would run out of inputs if you had CD player, tape deck, TV, satellite, VCR, and DVD, unless you could run balanced inputs from some of your components. Second, volume control and input select on the unit itself are via spring loaded knob switches which require a little getting used to, but which turn out to be quite functional once you acclimate to them.

Nevertheless, I happily live with these inconveniences because the sound quality is so superior. The unit does what a preamp should with the music -- i.e., nothing other than switch sources and provide volume control. The sound is natural and uncolored.

Features include full remote control, two sets of balanced ins and outs, and monitor loop (which enables easy incorporatation a surround sound processor for home theater use).

All in all, this unit sonically outperforms anything else I have heard at $2000 and under. It is a solid performer -- a hard-core music lover's preamp at a relatively entry-level price. For a company which made its reputation on tube equipment, Audio Research is now doing some wonderful things in the solid state realm. The LS-9 earns at least four and half stars for sonic quality, and five stars for value. Because of the minor annoyances described above in terms of features, I give it an overall rating of four stars.

A very clean and quiet pre-amp. A real bargain at this price point.
However if not partnered with care it can easily sound lean, mildly grainy and a little bass light. Seems to work equally well with balanced or single ended connections.

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.

Similar Products Used:

None.