|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
76.188.155.1
Hi,
I am in the process of getting an Audio Research solid state amp and I am looking into getting an ARC tube preamp to go along with it. Does anyone have any thoughts on the SP-6? Does it have a phono stage? A phono stage is very important to me. Any other ARC models to consider or avoid.
Also, are there any conrad-johnson tube preamps that might mate well with the amp? Thanks for any input!!
Alan
Follow Ups:
Had an SP-6B twelve years ago driving a Counterpoint SA100 and ADS CM7
speakers. At that time, my roommates immediately commented on how much
more "natural" it sounded compared to the SS preamp that it replaced.
Downsides:
1. Gain is too high for the 2V output of standard digital audio sources.
I never had the Volume knob past 9 o'clock. This preamp was designed
in an era of 500 mV signal levels from tuners, tape and the outputs of phono pre-preamps.
2. Uses 12AX7s everywhere. Very sensitive to microphonics. But an easy
tube to find new replacements for.
-- Jim
I bought an ARC SP6B for it's phono stage primarily. At first it was the ultimate wire with gain. Eventually the gain described above was unwanted and it lacked the halography I wanted. I agree with Jim essentially on the down sides. You should seek out old reviews because this is a legendary breakthrough product, Highly admired and still sought.
PHOTO: Audio Research SP6, from the ARC Database- see link below
AGolski,
I've had an Audio Research SP8 (Revision 4/ MKII) since 1985 and an SP10 since 1987, used with an ARC D115 tube or, briefly, a D130 solid state. I used both with a high output MC on first an Oracle II_Alphason and then an Oracle III with an SME V and Vandersteen 2 speakers.
The SP6 is from the period of ARC I like the best, all tube stuff from the era just before the first hybrids were being made. The original SP11 is admirable but the first SP9 and the D125 were in my view made the least attractive sounds ARC ever produced. The SP9/III however was quite good though not what I'd call an "involving" sound. The SP6 and 8 however are fully engaging- they invite you to listen into the music- and for hours.
The late SP6's- there were I think revisions through the letter "F" are quite similar to the early SP8. These preamps are quite neutral, dynamic, and nicely transparent with the right tubes- I like the energetic Siemens- especially the triple mica E83CC in the phono- and the SP8 can run as I say high output MC's. The phono stage is where these preamps excel- the natural timbre, discretion between sounds, the palpable soundstage can be amazing on good LP's. Never harsh. I've never heard an SP10 with electrostatic speakers, but certainly the SP8 with Acoustats 2+2's was fantastic- that imaging!- and I expect the SP6 would work really well with Quads or Magnepans (plus the right power).
[My favourite ARC solid state amps by the way are: 100.2, D200_300_400/II, D130, D240 and I often thought of having the SP8 with a D400/II (200W) and some tall, wide, but very thin speakers of some kind..]
Besides the imaging, the wonder of ARC is the excellent build quality- I's have no hesitation in recommending a well-maintained 25+ year old piece of gear. Plus, ARC is like a club and whether you bought new or used, ARC will cheerfully help you with it and has all the parts- they want all their stuff to be working. The customer service really is something old-fashioned in the way of Roll-Royce.
I don't have a lot of experience with c-j except some with the PV10 and even less with a PV12 and I find the sound a bit too soft and fluffy- defocused and bit thick. It's pleasant- like a more modern McIntosh, but not satisfying to me because I like like an effortless, transparent sound that I haven't heard from older c-j designs.
The SP8 and SP10 are quite different in approach- the SP10 is "superior" in every way really, but the SP10 is also relentlessly revealing of the recording and source- and wires, and speakers, and power and,..- while the SP8 is "friendlier" and on imperfect recordings is actually less fatiguing- just a tiny bit liquid. If I had to sell either the SP8 or the SP10, there would be a real contest and I expect the SP8 might win. Previous notions to "downsize" have leaned towards the SP8.
If you shop for an SP6, check the revision letter and get as far down the alphabet as possible- D,E,F. However, if your budget extends to $1200-1400, you may as well have an SP8 and have the ultimate expression of that line of design that started with the SP3.
Cheers,
Bambi B
[ARC: SP8, SP10, LS3, D115, D130]
...warmish but pleasant.
Has a good MM phonostage, will be too noisy for low output MCs, so you'd need a SUT or headamp. But as another poster has said, not close to their SP-10, IMO their standout preamp.
Regards, Allen
My first audio research preamp was a SP6E.It performed very well when I hooked it up w/ my D79B ,but when it was parnered w/ my Phase linear Model 700c driving my Snell Type A2 it sounded terrible. The SP6E was easily (beaten when I compared it to my current SP 10 mark 2 and by my SP 11 mark 2)thats why I sold it. If you can stretch your budget to get these classics (Sp 10 & 11) its worth it.
Hope this helps ,
Mondial
sp11mk2, sp10mk2,EC21,D79B w/ 6550's,D79B w/ KT88's ,D250 mk2 servo.Classic 150's monoblocks
I have an SP6-C1 now for about 4 years. A very nice preamp, especially when you compare the value against some others. It looks modern as ARC gear still has the same basic faceplate and case design.
Maintenance has been good, a retube with new and NOS that was not outragous as some ARC gear can be. I replaced the RCA connections in the rear with gold plated copper and fixed an internal wire to one output RCA that I found had come undone.
It has a neutral to warm voicing ( I use it paired with one of Jim McShane's Citation II )with a good soundstage and performs well throughout the frequency range. The phono stage will please you as well. I used it with several different step up transformers for LOMC and straight in with an Ortofon 2M Black.
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: