The Acurus LS-11 Performance Test And Review

[laatsch55]

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?

Michele , I have my Spec 1 for that. Joe uses a Shure phono pre, don't know the number. Th r difference between the 2 models is remote volume control.

 

[JustMike]

Michele, Ebay has a listing now for a Acurus L-10.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acurus-L10-...ty-No-Phono-/131590076354?hash=item1ea36137c2

The advertised specs on HiFi engine show that the Acurus L10 and LS11 are the same. If you are a vinyl player, an outboard phono
preamp and a good cartridge should be your number one priority. Your preamp is just going to be a switching device between
components and a gain stage (volumn control) for your amp. The Phone pre will make the big difference your going to hear.
Then you have to decide on if you want a moving magnet, moving coil, moving iron, or strain gauge type cartridges. For the
money its hard to beat a good mm cartridge with a decent outboard phono preamp and any good line stage preamp.

 

[drummergrl]

Michele, Ebay has a listing now for a Acurus L-10.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acurus-L10-...ty-No-Phono-/131590076354?hash=item1ea36137c2

The advertised specs on HiFi engine show that the Acurus L10 and LS11 are the same. If you are a vinyl player, an outboard phono
preamp and a good cartridge should be your number one priority. Your preamp is just going to be a switching device between
components and a gain stage (volumn control) for your amp. The Phone pre will make the big difference your going to hear.
Then you have to decide on if you want a moving magnet, moving coil, moving iron, or strain gauge type cartridges. For the
money its hard to beat a good mm cartridge with a decent outboard phono preamp and any good line stage preamp.

I saw that on ebay.
I use a Shure V15 Type 3 with a Jico SAS.

 

[drummergrl]

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

A lot more money though right Ron?

 

[JustMike]

The Shure you have is a great cartridge. But if you were to go with the Acurus you will still need an outboard
phono preamp. I use a NAD PP2 with my Shure. Great match. I'm using a Sumo preamp right now.

The Perreaux is probably less money because it already has a built in phono preamp.

 

[Northwinds]

A lot more money though right Ron?

I paid $575 for my SA3, worth every dime but there is a lot of great preamps out there. The SA3 has always been my first choice. I used one way back when I was running a pair of Amber 70s bridged mono. Then I blew up one of the Amber's and got discguntles with lower powered amps and got my Levinson. I used that for years until the WOPL came along

I tell you though, the Amber 70s were very nice amps

 

[drummergrl]

There's a Sumo Athena with phono on ebay with a BIN of $329 now. Is that what you use Joe?

 

[JustMike]

Michele, were you asking me if I used a Sumo Athena ? Joe uses a Acurus Ls-11.

 

[drummergrl]

Sorry it was late when I was asking about the Sumo and I got confused with who uses what -haha.
I asked Ron about that Perreaux SA2 on ebay and he says they are not as well built as the 3.