Audio Research LS-2/S-200 review

Despite obvious modernisation, there is something reassuringly familiar about Audio Research’s new LS-2/S-200 pre/power pairing. Their styling may be cleaner and less workmanlike than previous efforts, but this amplifier combination still has an appealing, no-nonsense aura that we can’t help but love.

Despite the hefty combined price, this two-box combination is still only an early rung in the company’s amplification ladder. Having experienced some of the brand’s more premium offerings, we can confirm that performance standards continue to rise with price.

Features

As standard, the LS-2 preamp (£8298 / $9950 / AU$16995) is a line-level unit with a generous six inputs, two of which are balanced XLR. Its output connectivity also includes balanced and single-ended options. Headphones? You’ll have to buy a dedicated amp for that.

In the past, such a focused design would have been perfectly acceptable, but the high-end market expects more now, and Audio Research is happy to oblige.

The company offers add-on modules to increase the LS-2’s functionality. There is a phono board (£1000 / $1000 / AU$1595) that is compatible with both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges. It offers a choice of 42 or 62dB of gain, and adjustable MC loading from 50-1000 ohms, so should be happy with all but the most extreme of cartridges on the market.

Digital is very much on the menu, with a DAC module (£1000 / £1000 / AU$1995) that offers USB Type B, coaxial and optical connectivity. The LS-2 can accommodate both the digital and phono modules together. Unfortunately, neither was fitted to our review sample, but given the company’s heritage, it would be surprising if they weren’t at least competitive in terms of performance.

Oddly, one of the single-ended analogue inputs becomes inactive when a module is fitted. If both the DAC and phono stage are both installed, then two analogue inputs get taken out of action.

Design

Audio Research’s formidable reputation is built on valve-powered amplification, so it comes as no surprise to find a pair of 6H30 dual-triodes at the heart of the LS-2 zero-feedback, Class A circuit. These valves have a decent service life of around 4000 hours before needing replacement.

However, there is a twist. While the preamp’s single-ended RCA outputs are directly driven by the valves, the balanced XLR outs are fed through a solid-state J-FET buffer to provide the desired low output impedance. Interestingly, the original Audio Research LS-2 preamp from 1991 was a proper valve/solid-state hybrid design that combined a single ECC88 valve with FET devices.

The solid-state S-200 (£12,798 / $12,950 / AU$24,995) is a brute of a stereo power amplifier. It is a dual-mono design right from the single mains input, using dedicated toroidal transformers for each channel to feed the fully balanced Class A/B amplification circuits.

The power output is prodigious, with Audio Research claiming 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms and double that as impedance halves. That is enough grunt to drive any price-compatible speaker to high levels, even in large rooms.

The S-200’s connectivity mirrors the balanced XLR and single-ended RCA found on the preamp, with a small back-panel toggle switch to select the desired option.

Build & compatibility

Both of these units feel solid and well made. Fit and finish is up to a good standard, though below the immaculate levels we experienced with the similarly-priced Yamaha C5000/M5000 pairing we reviewed recently. The two rotary control dials on the front feel durable enough but don’t operate with the precision we noted from the range-topping Yamaha rival.

Even so, take a look inside either Audio Research product, and the neat internal layout and obvious care in assembly are impressive. These products are clearly built to last decades.

They are nice to use too. We are surprised to find that the LS-2’s large LCD display is in fact a touchscreen, which makes going through the various set-up menus a breeze. In the sub-menus, you will also find a counter that keeps track of usage, which takes the guesswork out of deciding when to replace the valves. This is a thoughtful touch.

The supplied remote is a simple metal handset, but it is nice to hold and intuitive to use.

These Audio Research products prove easy to get up and running. Those unfamiliar with valve-powered components may find the initial installation of the two 6H30s a little intimidating, but it is a simple process that takes just a few minutes.

Audio Research even provides the required Allen key to remove the LS-2’s lid. From there, the valves, which are clearly labelled, are simply pushed into place. If you are worried about the installation, we are sure the selling dealer will be happy to do the job.

The transistor-based S-200 power amp needs no such procedure, and is as simple to connect as any other design.

At this level there should be no shortcuts when it comes to system matching. Our sources are Naim’s range-topping ND 555/555 PS DR music streamer and a current-generation MacBook Pro running Audirvana music software feeding a Chord Hugo TT2 DAC.

As for speakers, PMC’s monster MB2 SE are used extensively alongside our usual ATC SCM50 monitors. Sonus Faber’s new Olympica III G3 floorstanders are also pressed into service (review coming soon).

Our comparison amplifiers are the aforementioned Yamaha C-5000/M-5000 combination, our reference Burmester 088/911 Mk III and PMC’s Cor integrated. Recent experience with Rega’s Mercury/Solis combination helps to form our opinion too.

Sound

The use of valves in the preamp may lead people to expect an easy-going, lush presentation, but that’s not how things turn out. Audio Research has never done things that way. The company’s valve products tend to focus on neutrality and resolution, rivalling solid-state alternatives in those respects. The benefits of valves only really show up in the lucidity and naturalness of the presentation, and that’s the case here with the LS-2.

This is an impressive preamplifier. It sounds clean, clear and beautifully balanced, particularly through its single-ended RCA output. We are less smitten with the performance using the balanced XLR connection, where some of the preamp’s finesse is traded for a slightly bolder and less subtle approach.

Partnered with the S-200 (connected single-ended) there is much to like about the overall performance. Given the monster power output, it will come as no surprise to find that this Audio Research pairing delivers a sound with plenty of scale and authority.

As we play Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2, we can’t help but admire the muscularity of the presentation and the amplifier’s ability to play loud while retaining an enviable degree of composure. As volume levels head northward, the lack of obvious stress and harshness is deeply impressive.

We have no complaints about tonality, with the various orchestral sections coming through with pleasing natural balance, plenty of body and rich texturing. The line between high-frequency bite and refinement is negotiated with skill.

Given the dual mono nature of the power amplifier, we aren’t surprised to find the LS-2/S-200 pairing renders a wide and stable stereo image characterised by a sharp focus and precise positioning, laterally, at least.

The depth perspective was shallower than we expected. The shortfall isn’t massive, but given our experience with other Audio Research amplifiers, it is still something of a surprise.

The LS-2/S-200’s authority works well with other types of music too. We enjoy the dark and brooding nature of Massive Attack’s Mezzanine, particularly the way this two-box amplifier punches out Angel’s intricate and rumbling bassline with such conviction.

There is plenty to praise when it comes to outright clarity. Vocals are easy to follow, and rendered with natural warmth and body intact. Scale is convincing, and it is easy to track individual instrumental strands even when the recording gets busy. Overall, the sense of organisation and control is as good as we have heard at this level.

However, we want more. For all its neutrality and power, we feel this pairing could do with more finesse in the way it handles low-level dynamics and complex rhythms. It doesn’t sound quite as articulate or agile as we would like, and edges towards a matter-of-fact presentation that lacks a degree of verve.

Now, let’s be clear about this. We aren’t asking this pairing to add extra flavouring to the sound. We just want it to convey the energy already present in the recording, and this Audio Research pairing tempers that to a degree.

Listening to the pre and power separately points the finger at the S-200. For all its talents, this chunky power amplifier just doesn’t share the LS-2’s all-round sonic excellence, and ultimately limits what the preamplifier can do.

Verdict

We love the LS-2. It is everything we would hope for in a high-quality valve preamp. It is quiet, insightful and beautifully natural in its delivery. We like using it too, with the touchscreen display being a nice bonus.

While we admire many aspects of the S-200 power amp, it isn’t quite the all-rounder we crave. It will certainly do the job with difficult speakers and with certain types of music, but we feel it isn’t good enough to allow the preamp to truly shine.

That said, we like the direction Audio Research has taken with its new series of products. They are easier to use, smarter to look at and, in the case of the LS-2 preamp, still wonderful to listen to.

Review published: 26th October 2026

SCORES

• Sound 4
• Build 4
• Features 4

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