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.
Best performance with that PX25 is going to have very little gain due to the high sensitivity of that amp. The Art Audio Conductor or Conductor Simply MKii has an active tube stage with no gain (changes impedance) for optimal performance. Whatever you choose, do your best to keep the gain in the preamp low. Avoid CJ, KR, etc...
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With the input sensitivity and gain of the Art amp, why do you think you need something with so much gain? You are only throwing it away.
Edit, I just saw @verdantaudio addressed this issue already.
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