Audio Research LS-26

[Captjoe]

Selling my Audio Research LS-26 to move up to the Audio Research Ref 5SE.I purchased from Will Vincent who built my custom amp for me in January. It is 9/10 with silver face. All functions beautifully , but as I move up in the Audio Research line I no long need it and selling here to AA members first 9/10 condition. I'm asking $ 2500.00 and $100.00 should cover shipping.I'm located in Lafayette La if you are near will deliver within 2 hours.The unit comes with manual ,remote and orginal ARC box.Looks near min and has no issues. Was serviced by Audio Research before I puirchased it from Will .

Here is what ARC had to say about it.

After the REF3 was introduced we were regularly asked when there might be a less expensive preamp with the magic that so captivated everyone who heard the REF3. Hearing the new REF3 made it very difficult to go back to any other preamp. Well, thanks to trickle-down technology, the LS26 is here and it is simply stunning in its musical presentation.

The new LS26 physically resembles a downsized REF3, with a smaller vacuum-fluorescent display flanked by knobs for Volume and Input. Under the display are six soft touch switches controlling Power, Mono/Stereo, BAL/SE, Processor (pass-through), Monitor, and Mute. The LS26 maintains all of the LS25's inputs, outputs, controls and functionality, and adds phase inversion via the remote control. The display shows the volume, input, balance (via L-R line graph), and operating status (including BAL/SE, Hi/Med/Low Gain, Mute, Stereo/Mono, Invert, and Tube Hours). There are eight levels of illumination for the display, plus off. Like the REF3, inputs are direct access and there are discrete codes for power on/off, processor, and other functions, so it will be easy to integrate the LS26 with system controllers from companies like AMX or Crestron. The rear of the LS26 includes a 12V trigger and a 15A IEC connector. All inputs and outputs are both SE and XLR.

The LS26 also incorporates the REF3's high headroom volume control with 104 steps. Setup information and Tube Hours are "written" to the microprocessor, so even if it is unplugged, the LS26 will remember settings for each input including BAL/SE, Mono/Stereo, Hi/Med/Low gain setting, Invert, etc.

The LS26 benefits from many enhancements passed down from the REF3, including new proprietary parts, special damping, and other design elements. The LS26 is pure Class-A with zero feedback, the power supply is massive and fully regulated, frequency response extends to 160kHz, input headroom has been increased by 71%, and noise is vanishingly low, allowing the LS26 to be used in noise-sensitive applications. Gain is provided by two long-life 6H30 triodes, so maintenance costs are low. With its low output impedance, the LS26 will easily drive virtually any amplifier you would care to use.

From ARC about unit.

The LS26 sounds like a REF3 on a slightly smaller scale, sharing an uncanny ability to grab you and make you want to listen to whatever is playing. The musicians are there, performing for you, without hype. The soundstage is expansive, everything within it properly proportioned, focused and grainless. There is a natural, expressive dynamic life that is captivating: quiet passages whisper and loud passages are startling. Like the REF3, there is a directness and immediacy that connects the listener with the performance. The LS26 outperforms the vaunted REF2MKII.

We are delighted to offer a world-class preamplifier with great flexibility, intuitive controls and many of the REF3's sonic attributes at a price within reach of so many more music lovers.