2. amps-preamps
  3. 1176738136

Lack of bass with SP-9 MK3

I've just acquired an AR SP-9 MK3 and my short-lived excitement quickly faded. While the depth and highs are crisp and more detailed than my old GTP-500II (Adcom), the lows are uneventful to say the least.

Granted the Adcom had the Contour enabled, this preamp's lows seem non-existent. I suppose there's a chance that I've been listening to exaggerated lows, but I've tried running various genres through the unit with same results. Is the unit faulty or will new valves fix the issue?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
fourrings000bfd

Showing 2 responses by fourrings000bfd

fourrings000bfd OP
2 posts
 
Thanks for all the responses. Looks like there isn't much that can be done since so many people had a similar experience. My main goal was to make sure that these characteristics are inherit of this particular unit rather than the neutral, tubed design in general.

Sherod -- the SP9 should be fairly well matched with my Adcom 5802, see the specs below. My understanding is that the desired minimum ratio is 10:1.

GFA-5802: 10k/105k Ohm(balanced/unbalanced)
SP-9: 250 Ohm
fourrings000bfd OP
2 posts
 
New tubes sound like a good start. Do you suggest ordering straight from ARC or somewhere else?

Do you think adding a dedicated subwoofer will help the issue? Though I'd think that if the signal is just not there, then there is nothing for the sub to reproduce.

Thanks for the suggestions.
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