2. amps-preamps
  3. 177934-135729

Audio Research SP17

Fellow Gear Fans,

I have the opportunity to purchase an SP17 in very good condition, gone over on a bench, for around $1,700.  I'd appreciate any comments, pros or cons.  I have two Pass Camp Amps that I can run as Monoblocks with it, if that would be a good match.  Other suggestions welcome.  Speakers I can use are Klipsch Forte II's with Crites upgrades or Heresy's -- both sets of speakers are from 1985 and 1987.  I also have Polk Audio 10B's from 1988.  Phono Preamp is KC Vibe, and turntable choices are Dual CS-5000, Rega P8, or Linn Sondek LP12.  Thanks!

allenf1963

Showing 4 responses by allenf1963

allenf1963 OP
275 posts
 

@skucie -- Here are the tech specs from the Pass Camp Amps.  I believe your answer is 10 kohm.

 

Frequency response 10 - 20 kHz +/- 0.1 dB
Power (stereo) 8W into 8 Ohms per channel
Power (monoblock) 15W into 8 Ohms per channel. See ACA operation modes for details on monoblock operation.
Power Measurement Measured at clipping with 3% distortion
Distortion 0.7% at 1 Watt (primarily second order harmonic which being even-order is described as "sweet, tubey" and being low-order as "benign/inaudible")
Input impedance 10 Kohm
Max Gain 14dB
Damping factor 10
Output noise 100 uV
Power supply input Universal 86-264VAC 47-63HZ
Power supply output 24V 5A
Heat dissipation 20 Watts per Channel
allenf1963 OP
275 posts
 

@jasonbourne52 -- Yeah, I would like to get it for a little less.  However, it is not a private sale, it's being sold by a friend who owns a High-End audio store (reps Vinnie Rossi, SME, Dynaudio, KEF, Octave, Dr. Fieckert, Naim, etc.), so I know he has high overhead costs.  He did spend the money having it completely cleaned and gone over on a test bench, and it comes with the original box and functional remote.  I'm a softie with friends, LOL.  In his defense, he has cut me some good deals in the past -- and he always drives me to concerts within an hour and half radius so I can get "music prepared" and have a designated driver.  THAT'S worth an extra $200!

allenf1963 OP
275 posts
 

You would be buying a tube preamp with extremely limited to none (depending on how much you are willing to pay) tube rolling options.

@dekay -- Pardon my newbiness, but why do you say this?  Does this AR use a type tube that isn't made anymore, is access to the tubes difficult, etc.?  I'm not sure what you mean and I don't want to go into something blindly.  Thanks in advance.

 

Allen

allenf1963 OP
275 posts
 

@ghdprentice -- Thank you very much for that bit of information.  I was not aware of ARC's use of "specific" tubes that may limit "tube rolling".  However, with this type of gear I'm in the same boat as you...I would be happy to stay with the "sound" ARC intended the piece to sound like.  When it comes to other tube gear that I have that is Chi-Fi (such as Reisong A10 or Willsenton R8), however, I do enjoy playing around with different tubes to change the sonic signature.  Again, thanks for the info.

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