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Audio Research preamps EXCESSIVE OPERATING COSTS

Soooo disappointing.
So you want to use in home theatre mode.  Get ready to pay up to operate.   The tubes stay on and when family uses system 10 plus hrs a day for tv and videos, the tubes burn away.  Most of the 8 tubes have life of 4000 hrs and cost $150 per tube to replace.  Over 5 years operating costs could approach $5000 or more.  And this excludes wasteful elec costs of $100 to $200 per year for bulbs running without being used.   Sooooo disappointing.


I called audio research and they confirmed all this.  Further, they lacked any sensitivity to theses issues.  Seemed kinda arrogant.  

Sooooo disappointing.
emergingsoul
facten
2,781 posts
 
So in your other preamp threads (digital forum) you mentioned the ARC Ref 6SE

7 - 6H30p tubes - $30 per
1 6550WE - $35
$245 to retube , if they all went out at once
Post removed 
emergingsoul OP
972 posts
 
I think you mean 6h30 by sovtek which sell for $34. I was looking at a rare brand which was so much higher and arc wasn’t helpful to guide me.
So now I ponder an arc 6se vs a McIntosh 1100, which has a phonostage. A very tough choice.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,798 posts
 
If ARC is such a rip-off as you seem to be saying, why would you even consider it?
facten
2,781 posts
 
Rare tubes for watching tv and movies, and having a penchant for not enjoying listening to music. Interesting , but whatever
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