Audio Research LS28SE Line-Stage
The LS28SE blends exceptional transparency with a dimensional tube glow, delivering finely textured detail, taut bass and open, lucid treble. Part Time Audiophile admired its neutral control and excellent imaging, while Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac found richer human presence and musical immersion. Extensive balanced and single-ended connectivity completes this high-resolution line stage.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
89/100
Features Connectivity
90/100
Value for Money
93/100
Pros
Exceptionally transparent, refined presentation with abundant clarity, texture and excellent imaging.
Combines neutral control with tube-like dimensionality, richness and stronger vocal presence.
Highly versatile connectivity and useful facilities, including four balanced and four single-ended inputs, phase inversion, mono, tube-hour tracking and auto shutoff.
Cons
Its controlled, upper-octave-open balance does not deliver oversized bass drama or a darkly romantic midrange.
High gain can leave limited low-volume adjustment range with very sensitive speakers.
The supplied plastic remote feels out of place on a component at this price level.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
Reviewers portray the LS28SE as an exceptionally open, refined and revealing tube line stage that preserves musical presence without leaning into overt warmth or coloration. Its presentation is praised for clarity, transient precision, dimensional richness and an immersive sense of space, with a slightly upper-octave-focused character rather than a lush or bass-heavy balance.
Transparency Resolution
95/100
Part Time Audiophile found clarity and detail to be available “in abundance,” calling the presentation truthful, ultra-refined and unusually transparent. Steve Guttenberg likewise heard the LS28SE extract more musical information while retaining a tube-like glow, and Best of High End highlighted improved clarity, resolution and relaxed purity.
Tonal Balance Musicality
93/100
The LS28SE is described as nearly dead neutral, yet not sterile: Guttenberg heard dimensionality, richness and a flattering but restrained tube character. Part Time Audiophile noted a gently tightened low end and appealingly open upper registers, while cautioning that listeners seeking dramatic bass weight or dark, chocolatey midrange warmth may prefer another voicing.
Dynamics
92/100
Best of High End specifically praised the upgraded model's transient snap, while Guttenberg heard greater piano scale and percussive realism. Part Time Audiophile also credited the LS28SE with a persuasive combination of clarity, openness and control, suggesting an agile rather than exaggerated dynamic character.
Soundstage Imaging
92/100
Part Time Audiophile called imaging performance excellent, and Best of High End reported a stronger sense of space. Guttenberg's listening centered on deep immersion, with enhanced vocal presence and a dimensional quality that helped performers feel more physically present.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
89/100
Guttenberg called it a beautifully constructed component, while Part Time Audiophile praised its clean, functional presentation and classy front information display. The chassis is intentionally lighter and less massive than billet-aluminum rivals, but the review evidence points to thoughtful execution rather than cost-cutting; the SE revision also adds proprietary gold coupling capacitors.
Features Connectivity
90/100
Connectivity is unusually generous for a purist line stage, with four balanced and four single-ended inputs, plus dual main outputs and balanced/single-ended record outputs. Useful operational facilities include home-theater bypass, mono, phase inversion, input naming, tube-hour tracking and programmable automatic shutoff.
Value for Money
93/100
At roughly $10,000 to $12,000, the LS28SE is unquestionably a major purchase, but reviewers were notably positive about its standing among high-end alternatives. Part Time Audiophile said buyers would be hard pressed to find a less expensive line stage that comes close, while Guttenberg considered it worth the money in the context of the audiophile market.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- Frequency Response
- +0-3dB, 0.4Hz to 200kHz at rated output(Balanced, 200k ohms load)
- THD+Noise
- Less than .007% at 2V RMS BAL output
- Noise
- Less than -100dBv at max volume (103)
- Dynamic Range
- 122dB (AES17)
- Crosstalk
- -105dB
- Gain
- Main output: 18.5dB balanced output.(12.5dB SE output.) Record output: 0dB (Processor input: 0dB balanced out).
- Input Impedance
- 100K ohms Balanced, 50K ohms SE.8 Inputs – 4 balanced, 4 single-ended.
- Output Impedance
- 600 ohms Balanced, 300 ohms SE Main (2), 20K ohms minimum load and 2000pF maximum capacitance. Outputs (3): 2 Main, 1 Record (XLR and RCA connectors).
- Output Polarity
- Non-inverting
- Maximum Input
- 16V RMS BAL, 8V RMS SE
- Rated Outputs
- 2V RMS (1V RMS SE) into 200K ohm balanced load (maximum balanced output capability is 17V RMS at less than 0.5% THD at 1kHz).
- Controls
- Rotary volume selector (103 steps) and rotary input selector. Push buttons: Power, Menu, Enter, Mono, Invert, Mute.
- Power Supplies
- Electronically regulated low and high voltage supplies. Automatic 45 sec. warm-up/brown-out mute. Line regulation better than .01%.
- Tube Compliment
- (4) 6H30P dual triode
- Power Requirements
- 105-125VAC 60Hz (200-250VAC 50/60Hz) 130 watts maximum
- Standby
- 2W
- Dimensions
- Width: 19” (48 cm) Height: 6.5” (13.7 cm) Depth: 13.7” (34.8 cm)Handles extend 1.6” (4 cm) forward of the front panelWeight: 16.0 lbs. (7.2 kg) Net; 24 lbs. (10.9 kg) Shipping
Manufacturer's Description — Audio Research
LS28SE Line-Stage
A high-end preamplifier in its technical performance. An instrument in its ability to deliver a realistic and emotional connection to the music.
The LS28SE draws on Audio Research’s experience creating, of all things, our Reference 160-series power amplifiers. Numerous costly component upgrades elevate the LS28SE’s clarity, resolution, transient snap, and sense of space. The relaxed purity and natural sense of balance are instantly noticeable and will inspire extended listening sessions.
Flexible operation
The LS28SE line stage offers flexible and intuitive operation. Four balanced and four single-ended inputs, and two sets of both balanced and single-ended outputs allow maximum connectivity. Input naming, tube hours, auto shutdown, and the assignment of home theater passthrough are all easily directed through the menu. Phase invert and mono are also standard functions.
The impact of a great preamplifier on your music system must not be ignored.
While loudspeakers and power amplifiers are obviously critical to the sound you hear, preamplifiers are often underestimated. Musical stones lay unturned because most preamps do not stand up to the caliber of the system in which they reside. Enter LS28SE. Its organic tone and inner detail bring an instant vitality and refinement to systems formerly employing other preamplifiers.
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- 110Hz — online and in-store — Kielce, Województwo świętokrzyskie, Poland (website)
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- Absolute Sounds — in-store — London, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
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- Area Hifi — online and in-store — L'Eixample, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
- Aris Audio — in-store — Salt Lake City, Utah, United States (website)
- Audible Images — in-store — Melbourne, Florida, United States (website)
- Audio Advice — online and in-store — Raleigh, North Carolina, United States (website)
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