AR SP8 mk2 high output volume


Hello everyone, thank you for accepting me in this group. I have my AR  SP 8 mk2 preamplifier and I would like to know your opinion and if you consider its high output volume a problem with this power amp. Problem is the volume control is too low,  Very sensitive amp. I can't use much volume control.Does this affect the signal quality or is it just a drawback?I just want to know if it's something I need to worry about.

here I put the specifications of the power amp Puresound A30
ower output (Class A operation) 30 Watts/ch Ultra Linear, 18 Watts/ch Triode Coupled
Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz -0.25 to -0.3 dB
THD 0,3%
Input Impedance 100 KOhm
S/N ratio 88 dB
Input sensitivity for 0dB 100 mV
Power Consumption 260 Watts
Net Weight 28 Kg
Dimensions (mm) 436 W x 360 D x 190 H
Inputs 3. Line Level
Outputs 4 & 8 Ohm
tenoris
Interesting subjecft. I was going to posta topic on this subject of **preamps with high gain** = maybe too much gain
Here is my situation,,I just picked up a used Jadis DPL, , has 1 AU + 1AX + a cd buffer stage. anyway,
I had Richard Gray look over the LINE STAGE (Richard says a pre is actaully a line stage with a phono section),, anyway,, he says there are issues with the design,, that the 12AX7 is giving too much gain in the circuit = meaning at just 1/4 turn of vol knob, and the db level is quite significant,,, so I left him the DPL to look over,,,like 1 hours later he writes,,*Ok just did this and that and this,,,** when Richard gets a task, he goes right to it,,although it is a quite simple circuit and lots of open space to work. In 1 hour he had some mods completed...
I will not know the results as my speakers are being repaired, with new voice coils on the Millenniums and 2 of the W18’s need refoaming,,both I plan to do myself, its easy.
, so you may want to ck out if you can mod the 12AX7 toa 12AU7,, a AX has a mu of 100, a AU of 15.
Richard is anxious to have me test it, but can’t till new xovers arrived from Madisound in 2 weeks.
I’l;l posta YT vid when all upgardes/mods are completed.
Send the pre to Richard and have him mod it for you.

AR SP8, has 4 12AX7's , 1 AT7 and 1 6922.
yeah you could swap  a  pair of 12AX7's, and employ   12AU7's in that circuit.
have Richard remod it  for you

https://www.arcdb.ws/model/SP8


I used to have an Audible Illusions Modulus 2 pre-amp, the line stage of which provides 30dB of gain! Did Art Ferris ever update his design?
If anyone interested, this is the schematic of the Puresound A30

http://lampizator.eu/AMPLIFIERS/CHINA/bewitch%206550/IMG_5576.jpg

IMO, leave the Puresound A30 and AR SP8 stock, just simply set the Puresound A30 volume knob at 12 or 1 o'clock is the best solution.

OP, 

If the Puresound A30 is to be used as an amplifier (i.e. driven by a separate preamp), its volume control should be fully turned up. You are definitely degrading the signal if it's at 1 o'clock.

As mentioned, given the mismatch between the AR and the A30, it would be best for you to use the A30 as it is, an integrated amp.

Tube rolling is one thing you may look into if you're looking for a particular sound. Start with the driver tubes if you wish.