Time to upgrade the pre-amp.
I am currently running and ARC SP-16l into an Art Audio PX-25 power amp which feeds a pair of Blumenhofer Genuin FS2s (94db). I listen to mostly vinyl atm, and I have an external phono stage (Icon PS1 mkii). I think at this point, the pre-amp is the weak link.
Although I am not wedded to buying another ARC preamp, I am leaning in that direction due to company reputation, longevity, accessibility of local dealers (Northern NJ) and resale value, though I am definitely looking for that full mid-range and "musicality" typically associated with all tube architectures.
I have an opportunity to buy an SP-11 for $4,000, and from what I am seeing, if I wait, I may be able to get an SP-10 in that same range. However, for ~$2,000 more, I could likely get a Ref 5SE, which would be the top of the budget, but has in addition to any sonic advantages, a remote and tube hour tracker.
My questions are: (1) is it worth holding out for the newer Ref series (~10 yrs old at this point) vs the SP10/11 which are 40 years old at this point; and (2) if it comes between the SP10 and SP11, What I have read here is that the SP10 is all tube, but while that unit’s phono stage is particularly strong, the rest of the line inputs are not up to the SP-11. If it turns out that they are close, I would likely choose the SP10 between those two.
Very interested in how folks think about this.
Some great advice here. Much appreciated! I'll check out Modwright, Good points about the repairs and especially the potential that parts may not be available for the older amps. @blisshifi the LS28 is a hybrid I thought vs the Ref 6 all tubes. I may need to listen in person, as we got 2 votes here. |
Anyone have experience with this one?: https://www.decware.com/ |
This is the first time I am thinking about the gain from the preamp. So e.g. I see the Ref 6SE as having 6DB gain from its single-ended outputs vs 75db for the SP-11. @verdantaudio @ozzy62 is that more in line with what I should be looking for? Specs for the PX25 are: Power Output: 6 wpc What am I trying to match in a pre-amp? |
First of all, I misread the SP-11 gain. looks like 29db if I am reading this right: https://www.arcdb.ws/model/SP11.
@markusthenaimnut thanks for the comment re "experienced audiophile" but I am afraid you are mistaken. Perhaps "old audiophile"... that said I am attracted to P2P vs printed boards. Instinctively I think the former is better. My Icon Audio phono stage also fits that them. With ARC, i must admit that I appreciate the polished presentation, the copious documentation and the ready resale market. That said I will be taking a detailed look at Supratek. @verdantaudio, is the matching pre-amp for the PX-25 the Conductor Simply? I think I saw it had no remote and stopped looking, but I will take a deeper dive. |
@soix a lot of logic in that post! Not sure I can afford VAC... But they look awesome. |
