2. amps-preamps
  3. 161464-150037

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
invalid
1,219 posts
 
Invalid
What is the watt level for operating your preamp?
The manual for the arc Ref 6se says it draws. 130 watts. Not sure how accurate this is and whether a lot lower when in bypass mode.

a mc mc255 amp draws about 65 watts at moderate levels.


I'm not sure, I'm running a separate power supply, the 2 866a tubes in the power supply draw 5 amps at 2.5 volts for the heaters. The preamp only has 2 6sl7 tubes in it. I'm sure the arc reference 6se has more tubes in it, and they probably run them hot. I know some tube preamps can go through tubes faster than others.
crazyeddy's avatar
crazyeddy
381 posts
 
10 + hours of TV a day ?? WOW !!!  I can't even imagine that.  I don't even own one.  I have an ARC LS 27, and I get great tube life, and replacement costs are quite modest.
mschott's avatar
mschott
134 posts
 
Feels like the OP is trolling us. As said, tube components are not ideal for HT applications. Buy a SS amp and move on. ARC will not be offended. 
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 
I keep 2 channel as 2 channel, meaning completely seperate from the surround sound home theater stuff. I use a sony str dn1080 for home theater duties. It, in my opinion, is the best out there for years running for the price. No idea why anyone would use their hifi in conjunction with home theater, especially if the kiddies are sometimes operating it to watch their movies etc. You can grab the aforementioned sony pretty cheap when on sale. I've seen it as low as $399 from time to time, regularly $598. 
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