2. amps-preamps
  3. 1246480147

Audio Research CA50 + tube rolling

I recently purchased an ARC CA50 which I like a lot. It betters the Cary SLI-80 sig IMO but that's beside the point.
My question is about tube rolling. Has anyone tried rolling either power or driver tubes in the CA50 and what were the results ?

The only info on the net regarding this is somewhat paranoid thread on diyAudio advising against this and suggesting that ARC designed this amp around Sovtek/EH 6922s
Personally I don't buy it.

I contacted ARC and spoke to some bland dude who I don't think even knew what the CA50 was.
He blurted out something about adjusting the voltage on the side panels of the amp if I want to change the driver tubes.

Anyway, your thoughts, suggestions, advice and experience (good or bad) with tube rolling in this amp will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance to all replies.
akanrg
geraldm121
63 posts
 
When you turn the CA50 off you do hear a brief moment of the program material just before final shutdown. It's almost as if the muting circuit powers down slightly before the amp. As to all the input the lights flashing I believe that they do. I know some of the LED's flash but I cannot remember if all do (I am actually on vacation at the moment and cannot check to be sure). I will confirm this when I get back home in about 10 days.

Regards, Jerry
geraldm121
63 posts
 
Sorry for the long delay but on my CA50 only the mute switch led blinks on start up.
akanrg OP
15 posts
 
No problem.
Is it connected to a power conditioner of any kind ?
Let me know,
Thx
geraldm121
63 posts
 
Yes,it's a mid-level Monster power conditioner(nothing to get too excited about)that was a gift from a friend.
auric9
3 posts
 

Hello:

I have a CA-50 that has developed a hum (120HZ). First it was on one channel and now on two. I swapped the tubes for new ones. Recalibrated the voltage for the driver tubes although I couldn't get them near where they should be.

I am reading here that the amp is very picky about internal triode matching.

Anyhow, the hum is still there...

Do anyone know if the hum will go away with tighter balanced triode matching?

Thanks!

Derek

 

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