+1 on not worrying about service. Most will never need service, they are built to last a lifetime and Audio Research prides itself on servicing older models and having an extensive parts stockroom. Should you keep it for decades, then any competent electrical repair can update the caps.
Audio Research Pre-Amp advice
Hi, what would be a good used Audio Research pre-amp that has a remote, that is overall very musical. My budget is under 6K? I really don't want any Ref. pre's because too many tubes. Also something not too old, I do not want to have to bring in for service. I welcome and appreciate any advice. Thank you!
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@ghdprentice - I get what you're saying about working. If you only used it for <1hr, then you've never heard it at it's best, and I'm sure you'd have had a better experience with a SS amp that warms up much quicker. I wouldn't even consider serious listening to my Ref3 in under an hour or more; as I said, it really takes c2hrs to come on song. When I 1st switch on, it's either Radio Paradise (A FANTASIC radio station btw, which streams FLAC files, if anyone's not heard of it, give it a try - it has no ads, has several different streams for different genres, 5 different quality levels in case you have a poor connection, and an amazing thing for a radio station; if you don't like a track, you can press 'next' and it,,, you get it), or TV/Film duties, while it warms up. The warm up change is NOT subtle, so again I'm surprised at your usage, and given your work commitments, your choice of it. When you changed the 6550WE, what make did you choose? There's been several comments here about that tube, and how it affects SQ. hSounds says he went with NOS Winged C but doesn't mention maker. Also, the Tungsol Black Plate, which he adds a 'NJ'. is that a reference to NewJersey? I'm in the UK, so not au fe(?) with US terminology. $300 for a single 6550 doesn't seem 'cheap' to me, as @pinwa seems to think - but he may be a millionaire! @tomic601 May I ask why you change the 6550 at just 2k hrs? What part does the 6550 play in the power supply? Is it THAT important, as these tubes ain't cheap (lookin at £240 here for a pair of Winged C, which, I admit, is cheaper than the $300 each he paid for one there. Ohh, and 6k hrs on it?!? Maan, you're WAAAY over the top limit. Replace ASAP and you'll be blown away by the improvement new tubes will bring. |
@romad - If you can't stretch to a 28SE, go for the vanilla 28. Don't bother with a 27 or anything earlier, especially things like LS15/16. save your money and wait for the SE IMO. Here's a link to a REALLY useful site which gives lots of info about most ARC gear - https://www.arcdb.ws/model/LS28 LS28SE introduced in 2017 at $10k, so should be well within your budget, so just wait until one appears. |
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