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Best ARC tube amps for classical music?

I have thought of using an old ARC tube amp together with my Sonab OA 116 loudspeakers, and I am listening to classical music via a Thorens 126 gramophone.

I see there are many models of the old ones, and I wonder which of them be best suited for my loudspeakers and choice of music genre.

I am particularly occupied with the timbral sound of the musical instruments.

I have already been recommended a D-79, but this one is probably not so easy to get? Hopefully, there would also be some other models that woud do?

Best regards,
Axtl
axtl
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,842 posts
 
Axtl,
I would recommend an ARC D70. Either a mk1 or maybe a little better, a Mk2.
I listen to this amp with Sonus Faber Guarneri's and it is a great match up;excelling on classical and jazz.
The D-70 can also be had for what is IMHO a steal of a price nowadays.
The D-70 will also work well with either an SP-8 or10...my preference is for the SP-10Mk2. Although, I agree that this pre-amp is more costly to run.
axtl OP
7 posts
 
Thanks a lot for all replies.
I am after ARC equipment since in Scandinavia ARC tube amps are quite commonly used with Sonab and Carlsson loadspeakers
axtl OP
7 posts
 
What do you think of D 90?
rrog
1,958 posts
 
All of the Audio Research amplifiers are very good. It just depends on how much money you want to spend. One of the best of the older amps is the D-115 MKII and it mates perfectly with the SP-8 MKII.
axtl OP
7 posts
 
The cost will perhaps not be a very limiting factor as to this, what really counts is to have a perfect match between the amplifier and the loudspeaker.

By the way, I will probably start to use other loudspeakers, the Gradient Revolution.
Do you know whether an ARC would suit to the midrange and treble section of the Gradients?
Impedance = 3 ohms in Active mode, and sensitivity around 91 dB.
Best regards,
Axtl
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