2. amps-preamps
  3. 125747-2897

ARC Ref 210...tube virgin

I'm potentially going to purchase these monos which will be my first tube component. 
It has new Sovtek tubes; are these ok & a good match for the amps?
Is there a superior tube for these monos? 
What exactly is happening with biasing? 

Thanks.
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infection's avatar
infection OP
808 posts
 
@don_c55 - is that normal tube amp activity or model/tube dependent? 

@dweller - Pass XP-20 pre but as yet undecided on speakers.. possibilities are the new PMC twenty5.24, Wilson Benesch Vector, My Audio Design Baron.


rhljazz
1,255 posts
 
There are plenty of choices of amps that don't suffer circuit damage when a tube fails.  Many amps are easy to bias as well.  ARC amps don't meet my expectations.  
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cleeds
6,013 posts
 
If you haven't yet decided on what speakers you'll be using, it's probably premature to choose an amplifier. Given that you've never owned a tube amplifier before, what led you to decide on buying a Ref 210?
adg101
1,063 posts
 
I wouldn't rule out a Pass amp. Do your research regarding heat, tube life and cost to re-tube. ARC makes wonderful - great tube amps, but not for me. I'll stick with my Pass amp with a tube preamp. 
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,803 posts
 
adg101 is right. It's usually the norm to use a great tube preamp with any number of SS amps (sticking with mono amps is a good plan). I've had my eye on a Pass 250.8 (stereo) and Pass 100.8 (monos).
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