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Amp/Preamp Asylum Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here. |
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Amp/Preamp Asylum Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here. |
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In Reply to: Audio Research VT100 Mk11 - what is the best pre amp to match with ? posted by Vince on July 27, 2008 at 16:13:25:
PHOTOS: Top: Audio Research REF2, below: ARC LS25 (from Audio REsearch Database http://www.arcdb.ws
vince,
As Paul_A and Karma16 have mentioned, Audio Research products have been designed for a kind of compatibility - and for me the sonic signature of detail, separation of sounds, imgaing, natural timbre, and an overall neutrality has had a consistent direction.
Plus, it seems almost every piece works on a high level with almost every other piece; I've combined old and new preamps and poweramps and heard a system with a 1974 SP3 tube preamp and 2004 solid state poweamp to great effect.
And, combinations with other makes have not been so successful as when I used a 1985 ARC SP8 with a restored McIntosh MC240- the SP8 sounded fantastic with it's ARC D115 and the MC240 with it's MX110 was liquid sunshine, but the SP8 > MC240 was not an exciting prospect.
That said, my preamp suggestions for your ARC VT100 > B&W 804 if you don't mind buying used- and ARC gear is so beautifully made that I'd consider any well-maintained piece from any era.
Choice 1: Find a good REF2/I [(8) 6922/E88CC dual triodes, plus (1 each) 5AR4, 6L6GC, and 6922 in power supply]. The REF2 has an extraordinary sound- palpable imaging, amazing delicacy simultaneous with effortless brute force, dynamic, and natural sounds. This choice is was the final REF model using E88CCs and though this is a difficult tube to get right today as NOS, you really only need 4 special ones and the results in the REF2/I are worth it.
Choice 2: LS25/I: The LS5 [LS25: (4) 6922/E88CC] is similar to the REF2 with the same attributes, perhaps only a bit less spatially generous- but still among the best line stages I've ever heard. The LS25/I is also the last using the E88CC which again makes it's eminently tunable to taste. I heard the LS25/I and the VT100 in the boutique with Vandersteen Quattros and the combination was fantastic.
Choice 3: The LS5 [LS5/I: (4) 6922, (6)12BH7 / LS5 MKII: (10) 6922 / LS5 MKIII: (8) 6922/E88CC ] is the LS that makes a line stage sound that I find as impressive as the phono stage of the SP10, and is again tunable using NOS. The LS5 is balanced only and was a high point for ARC LS series
Choice 4: The LS15 uses 4-E88CC and is among the best ARC LS models, and in the US is not typically too expensive used, but the LS25 is noticably more refined.
You mentioned the SP16, which has a phono stage, without mentioning needing phono, but if you decide to add phono, the PH3SE [(3) 6922/E88CC] is a really good one- more E88CCs, and an impressive, non-fatiguing sound. The SE model with upgraded caps and so on is worth pursuing over the standard model.
Karma16 mentions the SP10 and SP11 which combine line and phono stages and either of those I think are superb. I prefer the SP10 for it's spatial qualities, and the dynamic provided by a tube regulated power suppply, but the SP11 is easier to retube. Both the SP10 and SP11 are two chassis designs if space is an issue.
You might enjoy visiting the ARC Database if you don't know it.
Happy hunting! I've really liked the B&W Nautilus series with the Audio Research gear that I've heard with them.
Let us know what you choose!
Cheers,
Bambi B
[ Audio Research: SP8, SP10, LS3, D130, D115 ]
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Follow Ups
- Audio Research REF2 /I, LS25/I, LS5 /I, II, III , and LS15 - Bambi B 08:13:14 07/29/08 (0)
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