Quote Originally Posted by blackraven View Post
Mr. P, the ARC LS 27 surprised me with its darker, warmer sound. It had great air and transparency. It was the warmest and darkest of the 3 preamps that I listened to. It may have been the pairing with the Ayre CD player and amp. The Mac certainly was not warm.
This interesting about the LS27. I think I could like that: uncompromised air & transparency combined with warmth and darkness. I enjoyed the Adcom GFA 555II which was a rather warm & dark, (though a bit grainy and not top notch for air & transparency). Do you suppose associated equipment affected your impression relative to the other preamps?

My Pass X150.5 produced the best overall instrument sound, imaging, and dynamics I've personally heard but it isn't warm; also, solo and primary instruments tend to be brought forward a bit in soundstage, and highs (strings, brass) at higher volumes can sound strident in case of some recordings. Or maybe the last characteristic is caused of my current s/s ARC LS9 which has fine air & transparency and also dynamics but is certainly is neither warm nor dark. I wonder how an LS16 or 17 would sound?