2. amps-preamps
  3. 1372420850

New tubes or new preamp?

I have an ARC LS15, and am considering either a set of NOS Amperex tubes, or selling it and getting a new preamp, such as an ARC LS27, or a Modwright LS 38.5.
As I'm unable to compare , what would you advise?.Will NOS tubes give me a preamp that compares with todays current ones, or is it a waste of money?
Thanks
brrgrr
brrgrr OP
163 posts
 
Russ69, What did you get to replace it?
mechans
3,048 posts
 
Jallen that was very dismissive, listen to what the OP wants. ARC gear is "High Definition" to some this accuracy is what it is all about to others not so much. There is room in this world for more than one preference. I went to great lengths to illustrate that tubes don't allways change the sound.
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,360 posts
 
"07-01-13: Brrgrr
Russ69, What did you get to replace it?"

I'm embarrassed to say that I put a NAD C162 pre-amp into this system (not my main system). It's my back-up pre-amp. The NAD is full sounding with good bass. It kind of funny because I have a Mac MC402 amp in this system (my most expensive component). Anyway, I have had the AR pre-amp in and out of many systems and it is very detailed but in the wrong system it just doesn't have any bounce. You system sounds like it has the same problem. Maybe you can borrow another pre-amp and see if that does the trick.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
"I put a NAD C162 pre-amp into this system (not my main system). It's my back-up pre-amp. The NAD is full sounding with good bass."

Did you leave the SP-9MKIII powered on all the time? If you did not leave it powered on you never heard it. So now you think the OP should dump his Audio Research preamp and get an NAD?

BTW, AR is Acoustic Research.
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,360 posts
 
Rrog says: "Did you leave the SP-9MKIII powered on all the time? If you did not leave it powered on you never heard it. So now you think the OP should dump his Audio Research preamp and get an NAD?"

I have had the ARC SP-9MKIII in 3 of my systems and listened to it in 2 of my brothers reference systems. I'm pretty familiar with how it sounds. I also have a ARC LS-2 and a Cary SLP-98 to compare it too. Oh and I guess the old NAD and another pre. Anyway, in the wrong system it can sound a little dry. I'm thinking that is the OPs problem.
I never recommended the NAD, I told him to borrow a different pre-amp and try it out. The synergy with the ARC pre-amp wasn't there in my system, maybe your system is not like mine and you have different results. I'm just passing on my results, if you don't find that useful, for your system, then maybe we both learned something.

Thanx, Russ
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