Audio Research LS3-B Pre Amplifier - Silver

Is this the last preamplifier you'll ever buy? Just possibly. Because the LS3 is so advanced, you may never outgrow it.
You certainly won't outgrow its lucid. musical performance. The LS3 features an all-new circuit design that combines a shortest-signal-path layout with a minimum of point-to-point wiring, D.C.-coupled inputs and a tightly regulated power supply. There's even the patented Decoupled Electrolytic Capacitor circuit found in more expensive Audio Research products. The input selector switch is board-mounted as close to the inputs as possible, and for extra high-purity input sources there is the Direct Gain Path. which bypasses all controls and switching functions except for Gain. The result is astounding resolution of musical detail. with wide-open dynamics.
You won't outgrow the LS3's look and feel of quality, either. Like other Audio Research products, the LS3 is designed to last. Period. Elegant engineering design, exacting selection of quality components and intelligent, caring manufacture mean you'll be able to enjoy your LS3 for as long as you care to own it. And. also like other Audio Research products, your LS3 will retain remarkable value well into the future. Because Audio Research will be there to support your LS3 as it has other products for more than twenty years.
Finally, you certainly won't outgrow the LS3's practical flexibility. While a thoroughbred performer in the truest audiophile tradition, the LS3 is equally at ease in a state-of-the-art home theatre system.
With enough inputs and outputs to allow connection to your favourite sources and to a video surround-sound processor. And once you're connected to the rest of your system. the LS3 gives you practical. accurate control over the input signal: gain. balance. stereo-mono and input selection are precision-feel rotary controls. while aircraft-grade toggles select power-on, muting, monitor-source and the Direct Gain Path.
For more versatility, the standard LS3 has two sets of single-ended outputs. so you can easily drive two separate power amplifiers in a bi-amped system. The optional LS3-B. meanwhile, adds additional active circuitry and a set of XLR outputs for balanced operation and even better sonics.
In short, the LS3 has everything you need in a line-level preamp for real-world. use-it-everyday enjoyment. What it doesn't have are the signal-degrading bells and whistles that drag down performance but increase cost.
So, isn't it time to get the real quality and value you've been looking for in a line-level preamp?

Frequency Response: ± 0.5 dB, 2.0 Hz to 100 kHz. - 3 dB points below 1 Hz and above 200 kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion: Less than 0.01% at 2 Vrms output. (Typically less than 0.005% in midband)
Noise & Hum: 18 µVrms maximum IHF weighted noise at main output with gain control minimum (more than 100 dB below 2 Vrms output, or 4V balanced output)
Gain: Main output: 18 dB (optional 10 dB gain reduction) Tape output: 0 dB Balanced output: 24 dB
Input Impedance: 50 kOhms (100 kOhms Direct)
Output Impedance: 250 Ohms main output. 500 Ohms balanced. Recommended load 60 kOhms and 100 pF (20 kOhms minimum and 1000 pF maximum)
Maximum Inputs: 20 V maximum
Rated Outputs: 2 Vrms 2 Hz to 100 kHz, all outputs, 60 kOhm load (maximum output 35 Vrms (70 Vrms balanced) at 0.5% THD at 1 kHz into 100 kOhms)
Power Requirements: 200 - 270 VAC 50/60 Hz, 35 Watts maximum
Dimensions: 480 (W) x 260 (D) x 134 (H) mm
Weight: 5.5 kg

Turnaround

Orders will usually dispatched within 2 working days of receiving cleared payment.

Shipping Rates

We calculate your shipping rate based on the total weight of your items and your delivery address. Standard shipping to the UK Mainland is free, except where specifically indicated. Don't worry, you'll always see the final shipping charge displayed before you reach the payment step (on the checkout page).

Carriers

We despatch the bulk of our UK mainland items on a 24 hour service.  Non-Mainland locations – Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, the Scilly Isles, the Scottish highlands and Islands, the Channel Islands and Northern Ireland may take a day or so longer. Smaller items are delivered using Royal Mail 24 or special delivery. Larger items are delivered using a courier service such as UPS and occasionally by a Pallet service.

Order Tracking

If a tracking # is provided by the carrier, we will update your order with the tracking information. Please note that some orders will not have tracking numbers.