Audio Research's "Classic 60" hybrid amp, "LS2B" hybrid pre-amp

[jls001]

Does anyone have experience of owning this combo?

Or at least listening/auditioning experience? Have read the reviews for Classic 60, which is a FET-Tube hybrid, in Stereophile but couldn't really understand the conclusions of the reviewer. The Stereophile reviews are way too technical. And I completed my degree in Electronics and Communications:lol: but I am dazed and confused :sad:

I couldn't find any meaningful review of the LS2B pre-amp, except to understand that it's supposed to be an "audiophile grade" pre-amp with balanced in/out. In fact that (being an audiophile grade) seems to be the main conclusion i could draw from the Classic 60 review by Stereophile too.

One more question: how would one rate the Jeff Rowland Coherence 1 Preamp?

Reason for asking: I seriously want to upgrade my modest setup and been trawling the net for a substantial upgrade in terms of sound quality. I do not get the resolution and imaging I yearn for. So attacking the amplification section first. Other components to be tackled as budget permits in future

Thanks in advance for any pointers, opinions, help.

Joshua

 

[gautamz]

You can always do better than the LS2 from ARC. The LS3 and LS5 from ARC are apparently the really good preamps from ARC.

However I have auditioned the LS2B and it is a good preamp. It can get you a good soundstage, imaging and detail when paired with the right amp.

And that is the main thing. You need to get the pairing right between the pre and power and the speakers - if they don't work with each other then however good they may be by themselves the setup will leave you wanting.

I have not heard the Classic 60, but I strongly suggest you take an audition of the whole set with the kind of music you like before deciding.

Btw I know of the offering you are looking at - for that money you can get a brand new Quad 99/909 set or the CA 840E/W set or a Naim Nait XS ... there are plenty of options, used also, but always try before you buy.

 

[malvai]

Ok here's my take as a user of the ARC LS2B:

the LS2B can rip apart a number of pre-amps costing around 1L plus (new). It is excellent value for money at its 2nd hand price.

It is immensely transparent. Creates a HUGE soundstage and packs a wallop on the low frequencies!

The LS2B + Classic 60 is a great combo. It will beat the 'chinese' made Quad 909 in all aspects. My personal take on the new Quad is that the mid's are extremely muddy.

The Classic 60 is a animal that I have seen driving large Cadence speakers with effortless ease.

Overall, I have seen that the older tube gear is just as good as some of the very expensive gear that is available today.

 

[malvai]

And btw, the LS2B is a hybrid preamp. The classic 60 is a pure, all-tube amp. Both are considered flagship products of their time. Meant to be taken very seriously, despite their age. In fact these amps were a feather in ARC's cap and were one of the many models that helped build ARC's reputation.

 

[gobble]

AFAIK only the LS5 makes the cut for high end audiophiles. Atleast thats what I read sometime back.

Cheers

 

[marsilians]

...Reason for asking: I seriously want to upgrade my modest setup and been trawling the net for a substantial upgrade in terms of sound quality. I do not get the resolution and imaging I yearn for. So attacking the amplification section first. Other components to be tackled as budget permits in future

Thanks in advance for any pointers, opinions, help.

Joshua

Amp is only enhancing the signal its getting in (with some modification/colouration of its own). In my view, its not the right place to start if you want to get better clarity and response from your system. I would look to room acoustics, placements, speakers, source components and then the amps.

 

[jls001]

Thanks for your responses, guys.

gautamz: I also read the LS3 and LS5 are better than LS2. My constraint here is the LS2 pre-amp and Classic 60 are both available used from the same seller. After reading many reviews, yes, I wish it was LS3 or LS5.

malvai: Thanks for your opinion on the LS2+Classic 60 combo v/s the Quad 99/909 combo.

marsilians: my living room is rather cramped and allows me to place the speakers about 8 foot apart, and listening distance is about 10 feet away. I toe in the speakers slightly. After much thought, I think the speaker (Canton LE 170) could be the culprit - it has the mid driver at the top, tweeter in middle and bass driver at the bottom (D'Appolitano config?). I had read somewhere that the tweeter level should be at ear level. When I sit on the sofa, my ear is way above the tweeter level. When I squat on the floor ahead of the sofa, I seem to get better clarity. What if I raise the speakers on some pedestal?

All:
1. What if a Jeff Rowland Coherence I pre-amp is used in place of the Audio Research LS2B pre-amp, driving an Audio Research Classic 60 tube amp?

2. Audio Research LS2B pre-amp + Audio Research Classic 60 is available for 1.25L. Is it a good price? I don't know if he will sell separately.

3. Jeff Rowland Coherence I pre-amp is available for 80K.

I would really love to promote myself to separates (at least in amplification, if not in channels).

PS: went to Salimbhai at Chor Bazar yesterday. He had some records in really good condition, picked up some including Beatles Abbey Road and Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band (previous owner murdered the cover with brown tape), Tim Rice's Evita (spanking condition), etc. The DN Road guy didn't have too many good titles. I seriously want Steely Dan records in good condition.

Joshua

 

[malvai]

The Coherence 1 is an OK amp. The LS2B is a better match with the Classic 60.

The price of the Coherence is way too high as well. I have seen it sell for about USD 1200 on a-gon. anything over 60-65k is too much.

 

[jls001]

Thanks, malvai.

Is 125K for LS2 + Classic 60 a steal, ok, high, too much?
Thx,
Joshua

 

[malvai]

the price is fine... i have seen just the LS2 sell for 1.2L in singapore....

 

[jls001]

the price is fine... i have seen just the LS2 sell for 1.2L in singapore....

Dusted off the Mar 2010 issue of HI-FINEWS and this is what I found in the classifieds:

1. Audio Research LS2 mkII: UKP 1295 (Choice Hi-fi UK - High End Audio Equipment - Choice HiFi (Home Page)) = = INR 91945 @ 1 UKP = 71 INR
2. Audio Research Classic 60: UKP 1295 (Audio equipment for sale - Heathcote Audio (ZEN)) = INR 91945 @ 1 UKP = 71 INR
3. Jeff Rowland Coherence I: UKP 995 (Audio equipment for sale - Heathcote Audio (ZEN)) = INR 70645

So the Jeff Rowland @ INR 80K seems quoted very high going by above price. And the Audio Research pair seems nicely priced. I guess I *will* have to audition them
Joshua

 

[malvai]

like i said bro, the ARC seems to be decently priced, the rowland not so!

 

[jls001]

malvai:
I just happen to dig up your LS2B sale thread via Google baba. You mentioned there's no phono input to the LS2B. I definitely need a phono pre-amp. Hmmmmm.... now what do I do for phono? Retain my current integrated? No can do - too much space needed. You mentioned that you are willing to let go of your Musical Surroundings Phenomena phono stage. Is it gone or still available? And price?
Thx,
Joshua

 

[malvai]

Hi, it is still available. Its for about 17k if you really want it... The new one costs about 35k (including customs and shipping). I have the original box etc.

I have even gotten the wall wart converted to the indian volatge! so it is fully done! and ready to roll! I use it with my set up and it beats many a pre-amp at about twice the price points!

 

[jls001]

Settled for the Jeff Rowland Coherence I pre-amp + Audio Research Classic 60 hybrid power amp!

First impression:
1. Classic 60 is a good "heater" - it produces a prodigious amount of heat. Would be a lovely companion on a cold winter day And it's truly heavy at almost 30 kilos.
2. Classic 60 takes about 1 hour to arrive at optimal operation. After that, it "sings"
3. My purpose built teak music table no longer fits. Need a new one. Will have to build one of wood or one of those new-fangled glass and steel tube thing.
4. My self made interconnects suck. Seriously need better ones. Suggestions welcome.
5. I haven't really figured out how to optimally use the L and R TRIM settings on the pre-amp. Will need to experiment more.

Joshua
PS: also picked up a pair of used Cadence Amayas. Yet to make them sing properly. The electrostats are too sensitive to moisture, and the rains in Mumbai are refusing to go away. So I am back to using the Canton LE 170s. With the above pre+power pair, even this Canton "sings".

 

[suresh lalwani]

I have some 100 odd CDs to sell quite cheap , but even cheap is expensive for some.
Can someone guide me to salimbhai and the other guy at dn road. I knew another Muslim gentleman at dn rd, but seem to have lost the exact spot.
I have some fabulous Navras recordings which cost a bomb, still in great shape.
As these guys have many more buyers dropping in for specific titles, maybe I would get a little something for my collection. Would hate to just dump them.
Thanks in advance
Suresh Lalwani

 

[IndianEars]

Hi Suresh,

Please PM me regarding the CDs you have for sale.

I too am from South Mumbai.

I may be interested if the price is right.

 

[jls001]

Hi Suresh,
You must be referring to Abdul Razzak, 9820933365. He is on the building that houses Suvidha Restaurant in DN Road, bang opposite the camerawallas. He is definitely more into (costly) LP records though he does dabble in CDs too. As far as I know, Salimbhai at Chor Bazaar doesn't do CDs. He deals in LPs, 45s, 78s, and old vacuum tube radios.