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In Reply to: RE: Hybrid Preamps posted by AudioSoul on February 18, 2017 at 08:00:21
for over twenty years. From my perspective, they provide the most cost effective combination of high gain and low noise while using triodes in the circuit. I use a mid output MC cartridge and like the ability to drive it with a standard two stage design while still being dead quiet.
At the top end of the line, however, Audio Research employs heroic designs that address the noise issue, but end up with massive dual mono power supplies and output stages. My single box SP20 uses four 6H30s while the REF10 / REF Phono 3 combo uses fourteen (in the signal path alone) in a four chassis package.
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Aside from the tubed phono section, my Sp-15 is solid state (with a separate power supply boxed same as SP-10 and SP-11)
If I was in the market for a new preamp. The Audio Research Sp-20 would be the top of the list item.
The SP15 was tops in its day.
I'm very pleased with the SP20. It was optimized for use with balanced connections which is how I with an ARC DAC and VTL power amps.
If I were to choose to obsess over one thing about my ARC pre, it would be the single triode tube in the phono section that stays lit up and aging no matter the input source I am using. Be it the tuner, CD, or tapes, the phono tube is always hotted up. And these days, the tuner is my most frequent input.
I would think that it could be possible to have a switch to control this action, though I haven't ever see a preamp have it.
The other thing I have gotten over, is ARCs recent and current pricing structure. ARC is no longer "in the picture" at all in my world. I'll be happy with what I have until I croak.
That is a good idea. If someone did that, would probably make sense to provide a phono standby switch. In addition to the tube warming up to start conducting, I have noticed with tube equipment, 20 minutes or so the sound continues to improve.
there are two 6H30s in the phono section of the SP20, but hasn't that always been the case with single box, full function preamps?
I'm pretty sure a 1981 all tube SP6C that predated the SP9 MKIII kept the three phono stage tubes on regardless of the input selector position. No biggie.
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