Eagle- IMO, the DNA 0.5 is a great audio bargain (although that is not a news flash by any means. In my system, it worked with the SP9 MK2, and also worked when I went up the ladder with a BAT VK3i (which I also think has a great price/performance ratio). If your speakers/room do not demand the higher power, the 0.5 is somewhat smoother, and of course can be upgraded by SMcAudio to very much world class performance.
ARC SP9 MK2 tubes
I have just upgraded, or thought I did, from a Counterpoint SA3 running through a B&K PT3 series 2 pre into a B&K Ref 4420 amp. I replaced the Counterpoint and B&K pre with a ARC SP 9 mk 2. Speakers are Vandersteen 2CE Signatures. CD is the Adcom 600. TT is a Thorens 160 with a Linn Basik arm and Goldring 1012 cartridge.
I really liked the warmth and lack of grain when I ran the Counterpont through the B&K. I used the loudness switch on to gain bass as my room does not yield solid bass response.
When I put the ARC in its place last night, the sound changed quite a bit. When playing te CD I detect some grain and hardness but the imaging and detail are good. Since the ARC has no tone controls, the highs seem to roll off a bit so I will probably increase the highs on the speakers a bit. The tubes are "Grand Dragon" which I guess must be Chinese tubes. Never heard of them.
For you ARC 9 users, what tubes have worked for you and has anyone heard of Grand Dragon Tubes.
I am thinking maybe the B&K and ARC are not a good match. I experienced similar results when I ran a Sunfire reference pre through the B&K. Do B&K amps only sound good with B&K Preamps?
Looking for advice and opinions..
Eagleman
I really liked the warmth and lack of grain when I ran the Counterpont through the B&K. I used the loudness switch on to gain bass as my room does not yield solid bass response.
When I put the ARC in its place last night, the sound changed quite a bit. When playing te CD I detect some grain and hardness but the imaging and detail are good. Since the ARC has no tone controls, the highs seem to roll off a bit so I will probably increase the highs on the speakers a bit. The tubes are "Grand Dragon" which I guess must be Chinese tubes. Never heard of them.
For you ARC 9 users, what tubes have worked for you and has anyone heard of Grand Dragon Tubes.
I am thinking maybe the B&K and ARC are not a good match. I experienced similar results when I ran a Sunfire reference pre through the B&K. Do B&K amps only sound good with B&K Preamps?
Looking for advice and opinions..
Eagleman