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I'm looking to buy an ARC preamp with phono stage to go with my ARC power amp. The SP15 which I was considering have tube phono stage but SS line stage I think. I was hoping for an all tube arrangement so that both lines and phono uses tubes.
Does anyone know which model of ARC satisfy these criteria?
Follow Ups:
Hi - To the best of my knowledge - here is the ARC line-up of preamps that use only tubes in both line and phono sections.None of these have balanced inputs or outputs - even the new SP-16 is all RCA. I'm not an expert at reading schematics - but have put notes regarding "all tube" for each model. Look at their website, on the home page click on "retail prices" to get to tube sets for each unit.
SP-3 (3A, 3A-1, 3B, 3C) considered all tube (8 12AX7)- although I don't think tubes control the power supply.
SP-6 (6A, 6B, 6C, 6C-1, 6E, 6F) - I think only the F might use tubes in the power supply.
SP-8 (Revs. 1 through 7) I think they all use tubes in the power supply. Seems to be the best 2nd choice to the 10 and because of all the tubes in the 10, many think the 8 is the best.
SP-10 (10MKII) I think both use tubes in the power supply. The 10 is supposed to have one of the best phono sections ever. However because of the number of tubes and type - it takes time and $$$$.
SP-11 (11MKII) This is all tube - but I don't think they are used in the power supply.
SP-16 (available with or without phono section) uses 6 12AX7 but none in the power supply.This brings me to a point I'd like to detail a little more. To me, all tube means the line and phono sections both use tubes with no solid state devices in the path. Not necessarily that the power supply uses all tubes. At what point does a preamp become hybrid? Again, I'm not expert at reading schematics. The SP-10 uses 15 tubes, I think they're in the line, phono and power supply sections. The SP-11 uses 6 tubes, I think in the line and phono sections, but not the power supply yet the 11 (as far as I know) is considered to be "all tube." The SP-9, 12, 14 and 15 use from one to five tubes, and are defined as "hybrids." I guess it depends on how the tubes are used in the signal path and/or if solid state devices are also used to really define if a unit is "all tube" or "hybrid."
I hope this is some help and as always I appreciate feedback. There are some photos and other info at http://www.eclectichighway.com
Pretty close, but a little clarification.SP-3, any flavor, pure tube audio signal, s/s power supply.
SP-6, pure tube audio signal, never saw an F, but they all had s/s power supply. Possible exception might be F but I am guessing this was also s/s power supply.
SP-8, any flavor, pure tube audio signal, s/s tube hybrid power supply.
SP-10, any flavor, pure tube audio signal, s/s tube hybrid power supply.
SP-11, any flavor, pure tube in phono section, the first of the ARC hybrids in the line stage, s/s power supply.
SP-12, pure tube audio signal, s/s power supply. This was a budget pre-amp.
SP-16, pure tube audio signal, s/s power supply. This is based on ARC website, since I have neither seen an actual unit or schematic.SP-9, 14, 15 are all audio signal hybrids, with s/s power supplies.
By "all audio signal hybrid", do you mean both phono and line stage uses hybrid design.
I thought the 15 has got tube phono but SS Line (which I guess would also makes it hybrid).
Sounds like we can define either the line, phono or power supply sections as being all tube, hybrid or solid state.More clarification - according to the ARC site, the SP-6F uses the same tubes as the SP-8 Revs. 1, 2 & 3 which would make it all tube line and phono, but hybrid power supply.
BTW. Really like your site and hope you can continue to fill in the missing pieces. There are so many variations on the ARC preamps, it is nice to have that sort of resource.Would also love to have your SP-8. Currently looking for one.
Thanks for your kind words - glad you like the site! I do have more "trivia" info I plan to ad for the SP-3, 6 and 8. My plan is to help "new" people know a little of what to look for when buying one.
Sorry, where is this site. I tried http://www.eclectichighway.com but that didn't seem to work. I would love to see what you have. Thanks.
Hi - eclectichighway.com is an immediate link to a "cover page" for what I've been working on. Near the bottom of eclectichighway - you should see a link to SP preamps.There might be zillions of people trying to access it at the same time. If you can't get to it in a few tries, please let me know and I'll see if one of the links died or something. Thanks for your interest.
Agreed on the 6F. Sounds like it does use tubes in the power supply. I wonder what the circuit difference is between the 6F and the 8.
Frank nailed it with the all tube ARC design. The nineties brought on the advent of hybrid designs and the SP-8 and 10 were the last all tube designs available. Might check with ARC to see if they could rework one into having balanced outputs. I owned the SP-6E and SP-8 the SP-9 Mark II and III and now the LS-16, which does use 4 6922's as opposed to the SP-9 that only used one tube. While I did like the "tube euphony" of the SP-8, it was a veiled sound compared to the resolution of the LS-16. I have been pleased with the LS-16 especially changing out the tubes from the Sovtek 6922 to an Amperex tube. I also found that Matsushita tubes gave more sweetness and liquidity to the music. The LS-16 also give your the advantage of balanced outputs. Good luck with your quest. Have fun and enjoy the music.
you could try the new sp16 which is all tube for both line and phono or anything before the sp15/14 preamps so sp11 and earlier. I would try the new one first and then maybe look for at an sp10 and sp6 to see how you like the different sound qualities.
The SP11 has a tube linestage then. Does the SP10 has similar arrangement with the SP15? Kind of like the more "classic tube sound" for lack of a better description.
RyanARC SP11 & 15 are hybrids, I believe you may have to
work back from the SP8 & 10 era to get back to valve euphony...Good luck
Actually beyond having to look for preamp with both tube line and phono stage, they also need to provide balanced connection. My ARC power has on balanced input and I was hoping the balanced mode can be maintained throughout the chain. Tough with older gears, eh?
Which amp do you have?
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