2. amps-preamps
  3. 1097676056

ARC SP9 MK2 tubes

I have just upgraded, or thought I did, from a Counterpoint SA3 running through a B&K PT3 series 2 pre into a B&K Ref 4420 amp. I replaced the Counterpoint and B&K pre with a ARC SP 9 mk 2. Speakers are Vandersteen 2CE Signatures. CD is the Adcom 600. TT is a Thorens 160 with a Linn Basik arm and Goldring 1012 cartridge.

I really liked the warmth and lack of grain when I ran the Counterpont through the B&K. I used the loudness switch on to gain bass as my room does not yield solid bass response.

When I put the ARC in its place last night, the sound changed quite a bit. When playing te CD I detect some grain and hardness but the imaging and detail are good. Since the ARC has no tone controls, the highs seem to roll off a bit so I will probably increase the highs on the speakers a bit. The tubes are "Grand Dragon" which I guess must be Chinese tubes. Never heard of them.

For you ARC 9 users, what tubes have worked for you and has anyone heard of Grand Dragon Tubes.

I am thinking maybe the B&K and ARC are not a good match. I experienced similar results when I ran a Sunfire reference pre through the B&K. Do B&K amps only sound good with B&K Preamps?

Looking for advice and opinions..

Eagleman
eagleman6722
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
The ARC, while not anywheres near state of the art, is a step above the B&K. I had one several years ago, used some Hewlett Packard labelled NOS 6DJ8s with Vandy 2Cis. Never thought they were grainy or hard. Try some NOS tubes; maybe some used but test new to save some $.
eagleman6722 OP
217 posts
 
Swampwalker,

Thanks for the feedback. Is it also possible that my B&K reference 4420 is holding back the performance of the ARC? I am considering looking at a used McCormack DNA .5 or 1?

Eagleman
kehut's avatar
kehut
668 posts
 
Eagleman-

If you can get a pair of Tungsram 6922's (red print) give these a try. I found them to really open up my old SP-9MkII pre amp. I used EH 6922 and they were smoother than the stock Sovteks for sure. The Tungsrams are very transparent and have very deep and tight bass. They are a real sleeper of a tube.Lots of depth, air and detail. I liked them so much, Im still using a pair in my current LS25 pre, pass on the yellow print 6dj8 version, as they are not as good sounding IMO. :) Ken
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
I currently have Amperex Bugle Boys in my ARC SP9 MKII. Very happy with the results. Highs out to there, deep, tight bass, no tube rush. I also had good luck with a pair of NOS AEG 6922 that worked well.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Eagle- IMO, the DNA 0.5 is a great audio bargain (although that is not a news flash by any means. In my system, it worked with the SP9 MK2, and also worked when I went up the ladder with a BAT VK3i (which I also think has a great price/performance ratio). If your speakers/room do not demand the higher power, the 0.5 is somewhat smoother, and of course can be upgraded by SMcAudio to very much world class performance.
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