Audio Research reference amplifiers used with RCA IC`s and unbalanced preamplifiers


I am considering purchasing used audio research reference amplifiers either 150se or 75 SE. My question is this

As these amplifiers are fully balanced and don't have an RCA input, can I use RCA interconnects with a conversion plug from RCA to balanced at the amplifier input and will it work in my system?

I don't have any balanced interconnects and don't want to go through the extra expense. Only one of my three preamplifiers has an XLR output and there's nothing indicating the preamplifier is fully balanced.

I find this balanced/ unbalanced criteria confusing.

 

nsp

Showing 4 responses by speedthrills

I have both a REF150Se and a REF75SE- outstanding amps. I'm pretty sure ARC doesn't want you to use adapters and I def wouldn't entertain having anyone try to convert them to RCA inputs either. There are lots of guys out there who work on tube amps who confidently will tell you they can figure out anything on an ARC and work on it - in my experience they can't without the schematics- and ARC doesn't provide them to non authorized servicers. Also, Kalvin is not retired and is at ARC and is usually the guy who answers the phone. CAll them and ask them directly about the balanced / adapters question. Trust no one else in my experience. 

Both the REF75SE and the REF150 SE are outstanding amps- better than any others I've had and I've had a lot of high end gear. The ARC amps (and their pre amps- I have an LS28Se) are flat out musical, dynamic and detailed- somehow they just get it 'right" for me. Yes, tubes run hot; they use more electricity, they will age and fail and are expensive. Like most other high end toys - like owning a Porsche or similar- they're expensive to maintain at times- but- they're really really good. A tube set from Upscale for the 75SE runs about $700, from ARC $1300. For the 150SE from Upscale about $1600, from ARC $3300. They last about 3k hours. They make wonderful music always.

@nsp - the amps put out 70 rms and 150 rms per channel and are configured one way - not switchable. Both drive Wilson Sasha 2 off of the 8 ohm tap no issue, the 150SE drives them better, bigger and louder if you listen loud. 

 

@atmasphere - Yup, Kalvin's back, I've talked with him several times in the last month and more often than not he's the person answering the phones when they're open. I need an LED for one of the meters on the REF75SE and just sent the LS28 into him for the LS28SE upgrade earlier this week.