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ARC Ref and tube rolling

I am a newbie when it comes to tube equipment. I have had the ARC Ref 3, Ref 110, and Ref CD7 for a couple of years and they are my first set of tube components. Has anyone experimented with tube rolling with any of these units (what are some of the favorite flavors of the 6550 output tubes in the Ref 110 - which I guess is the obvious place to tube roll - relative to the stock tubes that come from Audio Research)? Also, are there any issues one ought to look out for if one were to experiment with tube rolling with ARC components (voided warranties, ARC gear not self biasing, etc...)? Thx for help in advance.
cmalak

Showing 2 responses by elberoth2

elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
I have tried the NOS 6550 TungSol Black Plate from the 50's (not the new TungSol reissue tubes, which are crap IMO)in my Ref 3 and it was a major upgrade. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I had written abot that in detail in another thread. My syetem at the time was Ref 3, Ref 110 and Ref 7.
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
Cmalak - unfortunately, I did not have a chance to try NOS 6550 TungSol Black Plate in the Ref 110. Those tubes are very hard to find, and are VERY expensive. Last time I checked, Tube Store was asking $500 - each !

8 x $500 = $4000. That is way more than I'm willing to spend on an octet of tubes :-)

Ref 3 is another story, as you only need need one tube. I have discussed it here:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1201144495&openfrom&1&4#1

Hope this helps.
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