Audio Research LS28SE Preamp (Silver)

Audio Research LS28SE Line-Stage Preamplifier (Silver)

Beautiful looking and sounding preamp in non-smoking home / no children. Original remote, box, instructions, and power cable (+ upgraded remote made from a solid billet of aluminum included at no charge). Buyer pays shipping with insurance. Reason for sale: upgraded to Audio Research Reference 6 SE.

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A high-end preamplifier in its technical performance. An instrument in its ability to deliver a realistic and emotional connection to the music.

The LS28SE draws on Audio Research’s experience creating, of all things, our Reference 160-series power amplifiers. Numerous costly component upgrades elevate the LS28SE’s clarity, resolution, transient snap, and sense of space. The relaxed purity and natural sense of balance are instantly noticeable and will inspire extended listening sessions.

The LS28SE line stage offers flexible and intuitive operation. Four balanced and four single-ended inputs, and two sets of both balanced and single-ended outputs allow maximum connectivity. Input naming, tube hours, auto shutdown, and the assignment of home theater passthrough are all easily directed through the menu. Phase invert and mono are also standard functions.

The impact of a great preamplifier on your music system must not be ignored.

While loudspeakers and power amplifiers are obviously critical to the sound you hear, preamplifiers are often underestimated. Musical stones lay unturned because most preamps do not stand up to the caliber of the system in which they reside. Enter LS28SE. Its organic tone and inner detail bring an instant vitality and refinement to systems formerly employing other preamplifiers.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

REVIEWS

Steve Guttenberg The AudioPhiliac

“… but when I switched in the LS28SE I heard more more with let's say the the singer's intentions I could just feel their presence more I could sense their their breath their timing their body and soul the flesh and blood all of that just was more there was just more of that and then returning to the [Pass Labs] XP30 it was withdrawn there was less there was less musicality oh God I haven't used that word in a while there was less of that sense of human beings making music…”

“It made recordings sound better than they really are in that sense that's what I associate with the tube sound they just it just would have this ability to pull out more music from the groove or from the zeros and ones and set it free that's what was going on here that was so exciting and you know it was one of those products I was staying up long after my bedtime because I wanted to play just one more I want to play with this one more record oh I got I haven't played that one yeah real while doing Chopin I got to play that one oh pianos yes piano sound had just had more more of the piano more of the percussive quality of the piano more the scale of the piano…“

“…this is one of those, yes I had a tear in my eyes, I packed it up to ship it back … and I’m going to miss that preamp…”

ptAudio:

“The Audio Research LS28SE is one of the few line stages I’ve heard that fits into that third category. It stays mostly neutral but steers the system gently into a realm of clarity, openness and control that is  addictive.”

“Across the entire frequency range, everything is devoid of harshness yet dense with texture.” 

“For me, the Audio Research LS28SE revealed the essence of the ARC Sound … and I was riveted while listening to the LS28SE.” 

“… this product, to my ears, sits firmly in the high-end sound category, and I never questioned if the price was unreasonable for the sound quality on offer. If you’re ready to hear what a truly high-end line stage can do, the Audio Research LS28SE is one of those rare preamps that will truthfully elevate the sound of your system.” 

SoundStage! Network

“The LS28 is, in my experience, unmatched in its soundstaging precision -- the sound was wide open. Everything I played through it exhibited a harmonic veracity that was not overdone, just musically accurate. Both ends of the audio band were extended, but the bass was special, especially for a tubed line stage: it had both slam and detail, yet merged smoothly into the midrange.”

“The LS28 proved a valuable tool in comparing different formats of high-resolution files -- it was extremely transparent to source components.” 

“When I switched from Audio Research’s LS26 to their LS27, I thought the improvements in sound were modest. I was prepared to hear the same degree of improvement between the LS27 and LS28. Instead, I found that the LS28 exhibited better detail, lower noise, and a more spacious sound.”

“I think that, for most audiophiles, there’s a point of diminishing returns at which buying a more expensive component doesn’t bring a commensurate gain in listening pleasure. For me, the point of diminishing returns is the LS28. If your budget can swing it, I strongly recommend that you audition the LS28.”

Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity

“I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this album by Julian Bream entitled Baroque Guitar (Sony Classical B000003F1J). The attack at the leading edge of plucked notes was as good as it gets. Of course, if just analyzed the sound, I would not enjoy the music, so after I determined the quality of reproduction, I sat back and listened. This is really a good album, and it paired nicely with such a fine preamplifier.”

“Buddy Rich, The New One (Pacific Jazz B009Z1W6L6) is one of his best. In particular, the first track, “Away We Go”, is just incredible. No lack of dynamics here. In fact, it is a tremendous test of any audio component, from the trumpet solo to Buddy’s drum solo at the end. Explosive is a good description. I think my electric bill took a big jump, but it was worth it. What a fabulous musician he was. The LS28 did a great job of reproducing the entire jazz orchestra.”

“The excellent remastering from the original analog tapes makes a difference that can be heard with the LS28 in the signal path. Evans’ piano is amazing, and Gomez’ bass on “Embraceable You” has the transients and rich tonality that only a preamplifier like the LS28 can give.”

“The Audio Research LS28 preamplifier is a fine product. It is beautifully constructed and has a warm, lush sound that tubes excel at. I have no reservations about recommending it highly.”