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Best bargain ARC tube pre amp around a grand

I need some opinions on which ARC pre amp to look for (and which to avoid) used , in the vicinity of $1000-1300. or so. Im pairing it with a pair of Quicksilver Audio M-60's with Sovtec KT-88's and driving Maggie 3.3's.(IM actually very pleased with these amps driving the 3.3r to moderate levels in my room) I want the lush yet detailed ARC tube sound. phono optional,but VPI Aries/jmw10.5 and Lyra Helikon,is worth a good phone stage if it can handle the low output of the lyra... I've owned so many tube and SS amps and pre amps, mostly cj over the years, but ARC is somewhat less familiar. LS vs. SP...anyone???lots of used unit out there
I need some insight.

thanks
ken
128x128kehut
par3n1
40 posts
 
Hello, Steve at Great Northern Sound did all the mods necessary to bring my SP9 MKIII up to reference standards and I am really pleased with the results. I did these mods in two stages due to $$$$$ and listened to the unit without any mods, then power supply and the iec with a Cardas power cord (Golden Reference) and then the rest of the mods to finish up. You might give Steve a call and he could explain in detail. He is a pleasure to work with.
tonnesen
137 posts
 
I have an LS-8 MkII that I bought in your price range, no phono stage, but I think the line stage is very good, I believe that ARC discontinued this model about a year ago(?)
I have not seen many of the LS8's for sale.
kehut's avatar
kehut OP
668 posts
 
Well my search has ended with the purchase of SP-9Mk II with a JAN Philips NOS tube, and at a price that keeps me a solvent corporation for Christmas ! $800. shipped! I've been promised not to be disappointed and although the output of the Lyra coil is boarderline for this pre amp, alot does depend upon the effeciency of the speakers being driven and the input Volt of the amps. So lets enjoy the music and push on. Thanks to all very valued responses and good listening!

Ken
jwin's avatar
jwin
101 posts
 
Ken, I used to own an SP-9. There is a resistor change that I believe is described in the manual that will increase the gain of the phono loop. I had no problem with a low output MC cartridge.
Jeff
kehut's avatar
kehut OP
668 posts
 
Thanks Jwin,

I'll check it out. Oh It's a Mullard NOS as for the tubes.
I have a Monolithic ps-1/hc-1 just in case.
Ken
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