The Acurus LS-11 Performance Test And Review

[laatsch55]

In this case I really did know, Joe just beat me to it...

 

[laatsch55]

Major rack reconstruction...

 

[laatsch55]

Ok...The lottery amp, the Acurus, and the OPPO -938,.......first up, Shpongle----"Museum of Consciousness"......here we go..

 

[Northwinds]

CRANK that bitch!!!!!!! There is only one way to break in a WOPL and that is LOUD AS FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[laatsch55]

Yewblwrs!!!!

 

[laatsch55]

Next up.....Moby---"Play"..

 

[laatsch55]

Well.....on Moby--"PlAY" TRACK 4 THERE IS A VERY LOW SUSTAINED BASS NOTE. When this note is playing with the Spec 1, the bass had a tendency to ......."wash over" the mids and highs. It's hard to explain but easy to hear. Withe the Acurus there was none of that. It was crisp and clean regardless of the program material, whether it was a very "crowded" passage or not. Now the Spec, as Echowars specced em is a VERY GOOD pre-amp, regardless of the phase shift shown, and perhaps we have heard what "phase coherent" means today. The Acurus is VERY SMOOTH...I guess is how to say it. The highs are very clear. The bass is a tossup between the two, and with these horns the smoother the top end is the better. I'm definately impressed with it. Jani says it's the best 325.00 we've spent on audio gear. She absolutely loves it....

And the most amazing part?? Having an amp that will let you hear differences this slight in preamps .....phenomenal!!

 

[Gepetto]

Well.....on Moby--"PlAY" TRACK 4 THERE IS A VERY LOW SUSTAINED BASS NOTE. When this note is playing with the Spec 1, the bass had a tendency to ......."wash over" the mids and highs. It's hard to explain but easy to hear. Withe the Acurus there was none of that. It was crisp and clean regardless of the program material, whether it was a very "crowded" passage or not. Now the Spec, as Echowars specced em is a VERY GOOD pre-amp, regardless of the phase shift shown, and perhaps we have heard what "phase coherent" means today. The Acurus is VERY SMOOTH...I guess is how to say it. The highs are very clear. The bass is a tossup between the two, and with these horns the smoother the top end is the better. I'm definately impressed with it. Jani says it's the best 325.00 we've spent on audio gear. She absolutely loves it....

And the most amazing part?? Having an amp that will let you hear differences this slight in preamps .....phenomenal!!

Glad to hear that I did not lead you astray Lee...

It is my reference preamp at the moment.

 

[laatsch55]

You sure didn't Joe. It is a better pre than the Spec...period.

 

[Northwinds]

And the most amazing part?? Having an amp that will let you hear differences this slight in preamps .....phenomenal!!

Exactly. It really is slight and most of us are hearing impaired anyway. I have lost some highend frequencies in my right ear due to Crankinitis

 

[Gepetto]

You sure didn't Joe. It is a better pre than the Spec...period.

I thought the Accuphase was pretty good too but it colored the music. If I run the SACD player directly into the PL700 and then do the same with the pre in between, the Accuphase imparted a noticeable signature on the signal, almost like a loudness control. The Acurus does not do that, it is neutral to the direct connect. I like the direct connect but it is a pain to swap sources.

 

[laatsch55]

I ran the Oppo direct too and noticed the same thing. First time that's happened to me...with the Spec..

 

[stuwee]

So do I want the GAS pre or one of these Acurus's? I'll need a phono input fer sure.

 

[laatsch55]

The Acurus does not have a phono stage. I need to stop on the amps for a week or so and get your pre and Skynrd77's pre done...

 

[stuwee]

That's a shame, it seems so wonderful! No rush on anything for me buddy, check your mail in the next few days, ROAK coming

 

[laatsch55]

Yeah...it's a great pre...had to be for me to sideline the Spec. ...what's an ROAK???

 

[stuwee]

...what's an ROAK???

Random Act Of Kindness, was so nice to talk to Jani and your big bad self!! Love ya's soo much

 

[laatsch55]

Love ya too Bud. Im.goin horizontal....I'm beat....

 

[drummergrl]

So the model that is so loved by Lee and Joe is the LS11 right? Not the RL11?
I'm sold. Fine me one for $250!! Please! What is the model of the phono amp you use Lee?

 

[Northwinds]

I still vote the Perreaux SA3 over the Acurus but I would like to try one also someday