Heads Up: ARC is introducing the new SP-20 in Fall


An excerpt from ARCDB web site:

"Tube stereo preamplifier.

"As a result of the ever-increasing demand for a full-function preamplifier with a level of performance substantially above that of the SP17, we are pleased to introduce the striking new SP20 vacuum-tube preamplifier. Influenced by some of our classic groundbreaking SP preamplifiers but with performance that is only achievable by our best LS- and PH-series designs, the SP20 offers inspirational performance combined with real value. ..."

MSRP is $9000 -- a veritable bargain. ;-(
bifwynne

Showing 4 responses by joman

Minor1: With all due respect concerning your pricing justification I wonder how many times one can reinvent the wheel. The SP 20 has limited options. High end autos have options galore. There is nothing "revolutionary or new" about the SP20. There are fewer options with 58 db of gain. The lower output MC cartridges would need a SUT. I suppose the labor costs to rerun the numbers requires triple billing. Board, chassis, and associated parts are fraction of the 9 grand. ARC and the rest of the high end companies continue to manipulate the price. The sales market continues to get smaller chasing after the 1%. I think most of us know how equipment is designed and priced. I'm just a little sickened by it.
Minor1: With all due respect concerning your pricing justification I wonder how many times one can reinvent the wheel. The SP 20 has limited options. High end autos have options galore. There is nothing "revolutionary or new" about the SP20. There are fewer options with 58 db of gain. The lower output MC cartridges would need a SUT. I suppose the labor costs to rerun the numbers requires triple billing. Board, chassis, and associated parts are fraction of the 9 grand. ARC and the rest of the high end companies continue to manipulate the price. The sales market continues to get smaller chasing after the 1%. I think most of us know how equipment is designed and priced. I'm just a little sickened by it.
ARC is now an Italian company, certainly a player on the world stage, innovative performance -well, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Introducing a new product every 6 months keeps the brand in the discussion. Incorporating the 6h30 tube into their circuits did improve the performance.

Aesthetix, Atma-sphere (my preference), Allnic, Balanced Audio, VTL, and Manley are American owned and manufactured that compete head to head with Arc. Choose your flavor.

My agenda is I am mad as hell about the cost. The market continues to get smaller and smaller. I do not consider any of these products a value. Like Tater I utilize the used market. Music is not a luxury it's a necessity.
Rsfphil; thanks for the correction. I was thinking about their Gell tube damper and incorrectly stated they were American owned. Opps.