Ref 3 vs LS27

[sander]

Hello fellow ARC admirers,

I really love my Ref 3.

But i don't have a dedicated listening room.
So this wonderful machine is on almost allday, everyday. I have to change the big 6550 tube every year, and the 6H30 every two years or so.
We all know this hobby is a big assessment on our financial state. But this is getting out of hand.

So i was thinking about exchanging my Ref 3 for a LS27, since it only has two tubes instead of six.

ARC is claiming on their website that they "believe" the LS27 surpasses the performance of the REF3 in virtually every way.

Does anybody here has the same "believes"?
Or better yet, the same experience?

Because I don't.

I have a demo LS27 in my system right now, comparing it with my Ref 3.

It's not better in my ears. It's brighter, so maybe it seems better.
But the Ref sounds more natural to me.
The soundstage is bigger, higher and deeper.
The seperation is better. The dynamics are better. There is more air with the Ref.
So i "believe" that the Ref3 surpasses the performance of the LS27 in virtually every way.

Does anybody has a similar experience? Or the opposite?
I would like to hear your experience?
Do you think that ARC really believes the LS27 outperforms the Ref3? Or is it just marketing?

By the way, i think the LS27 is a great, really great machine. But i think the Ref3 is still better.

Greetings from the Netherlands,
Sander.

[Bavarian05]

Virtually is a great marketing word when used in this context. My experience is the same as yours, the Ref 3 is better in almost every aspect.

The LS27 is a nice pre, though it sounds more solid state to my ears. I would bite the bullet and buy some new tubes for your Ref 3. Money well spent in my opinion. :-)

[phunge]

I can't comment on the ls27, but my new ref3 limited is definitely an improvement over the ls26 it replaces. For the ls26 arc's literature said 'sounds like the ref3 on a slightly smaller scale'

[analog brother]

a reference is just that.
a reference will always be a reference.
even after 20 years. they still sound great.
it's like comparing a c class benz to an s class. no comparison. always.

[analog brother]

marketing wants you to buy again. have the latest.
if it's the best, it doesn't need to be the latest.

[MPS]

I have been wondering the same. If LS27 is clearly better pre than REF3 how come ARC made REF5 almost identical to REF3 instead of improved LS27..
Anyway whichever you have, it is exactly as good as it sounds :-)

[jpspock]

Just a little question, why do you change so often of tubes, especially the 6550. After how many hours are you changing them??

[sander]

Originally Posted by jpspock

Just a little question, why do you change so often of tubes, especially the 6550. After how many hours are you changing them??

In my ears the 6550 starts to wear out after 2000 hours or so.
Because my setup is also used by my wife during the day as background music, the hours slip by like crazy.
What do you think? Should i change my pre-amp, or my wife?

(just kidding)

[microstrip]

Originally Posted by sander

In my ears the 6550 starts to wear out after 2000 hours or so.
Because my setup is also used by my wife during the day as background music, the hours slip by like crazy.
What do you think? Should i change my pre-amp, or my wife?

(just kidding)

The 6h30's will easily last for more than 5000 hours. The 6550 is not expensive at all, just do not forget to change it! Think about the people using ultra-expensive NOS that last for 1000 hours and relax!
BTW, write down the hours and changes in a logbook or agenda - otherwise you will forget!

[redsectora]

Originally Posted by sander

In my ears the 6550 starts to wear out after 2000 hours or so.
Because my setup is also used by my wife during the day as background music, the hours slip by like crazy.
What do you think? Should i change my pre-amp, or my wife?

(just kidding)

Can't you buy an integrated amp and small speakers when you are using your system as background music? You could probably use the money you are spending on tubes towards that system