2. amps-preamps
  3. 1365753247

Audio Research SP-3A-1 part

I'm so sure this has come up before, but I can't find it.
Do any of you know where I can get a replacement green power on lamp for this unit? I tried calling ARC, and it went to a voicemail that said they'd call back. Well, I tried several times - no call back....

Also, mine is the Gold/Black version(lovely!) and like so many others I've seen, the gold on the face of the volume knob insert is scratched. I did determine that this is just a transparent "gold" toned finish on top of a normal spun aluminum disc.. I found a gold toned lacquer that can come close to matching, but not quite. That was Nicholas #2105 used for brass musical instruments BTW. Anyone else have any ideas?
planerguy
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,982 posts
 
Hifigeek1 is an ARC tech. Maybe he has this lamp? Send him a message through Audiogon and ask.
hifigeek1
770 posts
 
Hi there....Send an email to service@audioresearch.com. The parts guy is Kal. They do have the bulbs. I would order a few at a time. You may also wish to consider their tube dampers which work great, and are reusable. I own an ARC SP-3C and as Mabonn says, the update to SP-3C is an excellent idea and transforms that preamp! The old twist lock power supply caps are miserable as are the zener string voltage regulators. Before his passing, Bill Johnson designed a new FET regulated power supply for that preamp. It's truly wonderful.
planerguy OP
7 posts
 
Thank you. I sent the email per HiFigeek1's suggestion. On the regulator board upgrade - do any of you have any experiance with the Curcio board? It seems to do the job and eliminate the twist lock caps. They also have suggestions on better riaa equalization and cap. upgrades. Just wondered as I'm seriously considering going that way. The cost of the SP-3C upgrade puts it in the price category of "honey, can I spend MORE on MY hobby", and she will take a dim view I'm sure..... Now if it were HER hobby..... Ah...the married life!
mabonn
181 posts
 
Tell her to think of it as "repair and maintenance", cheaper than buying something new. If your otherwise good car needed a transmission rebuild for $2k, compared to a new car for >$20k, she would say "fix it", wouldn't she?
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
Consider cryo-treating wifey. I posted the same suggestion on another OP that asks for thoughts on cryo-treating gear. Tremendous improvement in lowering ambient noise when listening to the rig. LOL ;>')
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