2. amps-preamps
  3. 161464-150037

Audio Research preamps EXCESSIVE OPERATING COSTS

Soooo disappointing.
So you want to use in home theatre mode.  Get ready to pay up to operate.   The tubes stay on and when family uses system 10 plus hrs a day for tv and videos, the tubes burn away.  Most of the 8 tubes have life of 4000 hrs and cost $150 per tube to replace.  Over 5 years operating costs could approach $5000 or more.  And this excludes wasteful elec costs of $100 to $200 per year for bulbs running without being used.   Sooooo disappointing.


I called audio research and they confirmed all this.  Further, they lacked any sensitivity to theses issues.  Seemed kinda arrogant.  

Sooooo disappointing.
emergingsoul

Showing 4 responses by stereo5

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,272 posts
 
McIntosh users like all the extra features, as do I.  If you want minimalist, look elsewhere.  I had minimalist for years and now wonder, why. 
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,272 posts
 
Get the McIntosh.  The tubes last forever.   Some guys are still using the same tubes in their unit, 20 years later.  McIntosh does not push their tubes and tube life is greatly extended.  I have done a lot of experimenting with tubes in my C2500 preamp and after spending almost $400.00 on more expensive tubes, I went back to the stock McIntosh tubes 12ax7 which are rebranded JJ’s. 6 tubes at a cost of 90.00 total. Not too shabby. 
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,272 posts
 
I much prefer the sound of PrimaLuna compared to ARC, but that is just me.  I heard the Prima Luna HP mono blocks and they were quite special. I find ARC sound to be a little threadbare. 
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,272 posts
 
If you are concerned about the price of tubes and even the small amount of electricity to power them, you are in the wrong hobby.  Get yourself a boom box and then you can complain about the cost of the battery’s.  I would never want my family to just sit around all day and watch TV and movies.  Makes for very lazy people. 
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