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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
emergingsoul OP
1,246 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
8,153 posts
 
If ARC is such a rip-off as you seem to be saying, why would you even consider it?
facten
2,938 posts
 
Rare tubes for watching tv and movies, and having a penchant for not enjoying listening to music. Interesting , but whatever
troidelover1499
253 posts
 
My experience with Audio Research tube gear has been excellent.  The tube replacement cost is not out of line with other top tube equipment manufacturers.  Of course it is more expensive than having a solid state piece.  Seems like a lot of belly aching over nothing here.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,534 posts
 
Get the McIntosh.  The tubes last forever.   Some guys are still using the same tubes in their unit, 20 years later.  McIntosh does not push their tubes and tube life is greatly extended.  I have done a lot of experimenting with tubes in my C2500 preamp and after spending almost $400.00 on more expensive tubes, I went back to the stock McIntosh tubes 12ax7 which are rebranded JJ’s. 6 tubes at a cost of 90.00 total. Not too shabby. 
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