I've only had the LS17 SE in my System for 5 hours. First two hours, she needed to settle in. Then, she just took off with bloom, definition of images/instruments, from the deepest-black background/timbre and leading edges....very musical.  It has a lot more break-in to go.....I figure, but is already there with the Zen Mystery Amplifier receiving her high end grace.   I am impressed.

She was quality tested and shipped 9/25/15 to Paragon Sight Sound. I got her exactly 9 months later on Saturday.....and 2 hours in to Listening this morning....the LS17 SE shows me some details from an different perspective.  

Great service from Becca Marcus at Paragon. Thanks again!

A concern was quickly alleviated when I found the LS17 SE had no problem driving the ZMA to new heights (and as loud as one would ever play it) at the gain area, I like to have my ZMA at (20 to 35% up from 0 gain).

So pleased!  

Great tonal balance and detailed definition without hype (like the CSP3 can do) comes forth!

.....I had to write about it.

The ZMA is a special Amp. It lets the Reference of the LS17 SE ignite the Reference of the Zen Mystery Amplifier.

Furthermore, the Remote is metal and nicely meaty and weighted/heavy. It is not the plastic one. The volume increments are superb. In between each there is a half step. Ergonomically wonderful, right from my chair.




Listening Room:


Room Treatments from Michael Green & Home Brew

Sony as Transport (DVP-NS57P)/Sandwich weighted for Isolation

Illuminati D-60 Digital Coax IC

Shunyata Research Ztron Alpha Digital Power Cord to ZDSD
{Extremely Significant}

Decware ZDSD DAC / Recorder
***************************************************************
W/Steve's Output Transformer's/kicking to the curb quite a few superb DAC'S!
***************************************************************
(@ -20 Ref Level, 0.0 Input volume and @ 16/192)


WBT-0102Ag RCA Kimber Select KS1030


***Audio Research LS17 SE Preamplifier*** ~ w/stock 6H30's

.....will upgrade to: DR
http://www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/6H30-Tube-Types/Russian-6H30P-DR


WBT-0102Ag RCA Kimber Select KS1030


Decware Zen Mystery Amplifier
~BIASED at *60* mA~
(NOS/Platinum/E188CC 7308 Cryogenic Mullard's in my A12 an B12 positions~NOS/Platinum/Ediswan CV2492/6922's for Inverter Tubes~JAN Sylvania 0A3's & New Quad of Tube Depot Stealth/Tung-Sol KT66's)
ZMA adjusted at 20% to 30-35% max ~ from 0 Gain

***************************************************
Kimber Select KS6063 Speaker Cable 8ft WBT-0681-Ag Spades
***************************************************

Acoustic Zen Adagio - Black Pearl (Modified)
.....from 8ohm Taps





Acoustic Zen Adagio's x-over's Modified/Full Range with Mundorf MCap Supremes-single Cap to each Tweeter/4.5k cross
(Gutted: 3kHz/18dB/Octave, Linkwitz/Riley Crossovers....with all crappy parts = gone)


XLO Pro Power Cords to ARC LS17 SE an ZMA
PS Audio P3 Power Plant / Pangea AC-9SE from wall to P3
(Transport, ZDSD an ARC LS17 SE, Regenerated/*122*~ Multiwave off...ZMA on High Current Output)



NOS Platinum Tube Rotations in my ZMA,

(matched pairs/from Upscale Audio/Kevin):

(Germany) Telefunken E88CC ~ 1 pair
(Great Britain) Mullard 7308/E188CC ~  2 pair (both pair Cryogenic)
(US/Great Britain) Ediswan CV2492/6922 ~ 2 pair (one pair Cryogenic)
(Hungary) Tungsram 6922/E88CC ~ 1 pair
(Hungary) Tungsram PCC88/7DJ8 ~ 1 pair
(Russian) Cryoset 6N23N/P-EB ~ 2 pair

Oh boy, no need to put in my other Rig for an extended break-in period. LS17 SE, has complete musical control of my ZMA (in its cumulative 17th hour of break-in already). The inner detail of instruments and the dynamics are Cheshire Cat Grin!! No needs or wants.  

System listed above is staying intact for a long time.

Interesting today!  

I decided as good as the LS17 is doing driving my ZMA....it needs some more Cap break-in, in my other Rig.

So, instead of hooking up my CSP3 (which is sold)......I'm running my ZMA direct from ZDSD. Holy Cow! I've never had it sound this good direct! I will put my CSP3 back in later to confirm, it is not just needed further break-in on the LS17 that is needed.....or I still prefer the CSP3 w/ZMA.  .....Something has burned in or changed for the better, driving the ZMA direct!

Right now though, I'm hooking up the LS17 in my other Rig and it might stay in the other Rig....the way the ZMA is just stunning right now in the Listening Room in Tone and Dynamic's/running direct.....hard to pry away from!

Sorry ARC fans. I'm now one. She is staying put.

Yes. Listing canceled.

The dynamic's, the huge soundstage....that is more real, with the best imaging I've ever heard out of the ZMA. Concise bass slam....to say the least....and not getting in the way.

These SE Caps are burning in nicely.  

Plus, I'm running unbalanced. ARC made damn sure it will rock your world via premium low noise floor RCA's. It does.   Cheers.

LS17 SE = Steal at a $1.70 under $2900.00 (delivered to my door).  ;)

PS ARC Fan's: You should hear what the LS17 SE sounds like with a Decware Zen Mystery Amplifier. The ZMA is stellar my friends.