Audio Research LS-2 – Fully Tube-Based Preamplifier

Audio Research has introduced the Audio Research LS-2 preamplifier. Its fully tube-based design, operating in pure Class A, eliminates semiconductors from the signal path and is aimed at maximum sonic authenticity. At the same time, the classic circuit concept is complemented by modern features such as a touchscreen display and optional modular expansion.

The new Audio Research LS-2 preamplifier is aimed at listeners who view tube equipment not as a nostalgic attribute, but as a finely tuned instrument for building a well-balanced system. Instead of chasing universality or technical “effects,” the company focuses on a clearly defined concept: a fully tube preamp stage with zero feedback, operating in Class A and designed for coherence of presentation, dynamic stability, and an organic musical flow.

The LS-2 continues the traditions of Audio Research’s early line-level preamplifiers. At its core is a fully tube signal path with no global negative feedback. According to the manufacturer, this architecture delivers a more direct, dynamic, and spatially credible presentation, because distortion is minimized not by after-the-fact correction but through carefully engineered circuitry. In practice, this translates into a natural tonal balance and high detail retrieval, especially apparent in high-resolution systems.

At the heart of the Audio Research LS-2 are two 6H30 tubes – dual triodes long respected in audiophile circles. The unit runs in pure Class A and uses a cathode-follower topology, helping achieve a low output impedance. This makes matching with a wide range of power amplifiers and long cable runs easier, without sacrificing dynamics or control. Fully balanced circuit design further improves immunity to interference in real-world listening environments.

Despite its commitment to classic architecture, the Audio Research LS-2 is a modern product, equipped with a touchscreen display that shows volume level, allows input renaming, brightness adjustment, and selection of a color theme. Control is notably more intuitive than with traditional tube preamplifiers. Visually, the design echoes the brand’s signature Reference GhostMeters indicator style.

One of the key advantages of the Audio Research LS-2 is its modular construction. The new model can be fitted with optional DAC and phono stage modules. This allows the preamplifier to be used both in fully analogue systems and in hybrid setups with digital sources and vinyl playback.

Externally, the Audio Research LS-2 follows the brand’s recognizable house style: a строгий, functional chassis with an understated, engineering-focused aesthetic. The model is offered in black or silver and integrates easily into systems of different styles and levels.

The Audio Research LS-2 tube preamplifier is already on sale in Europe. The base version is offered at a suggested retail price of €10,500, while the version with the DAC and phono modules installed costs €11,490.