6922 recommendations for ARC PH7
Recommend that you follow the advise of petg60. I followed that exact advice that he provided to me in this thread: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/1975-new-reflektor-6n23p-swgp-or-siemens-amperex-telefunken-c... The Voskhods absolutely embarrassed the $600 pair of Upscale Audio matched 1963 Siemens E188CC that had theretofore defeated all challengers...many of which have been mentioned in this thread. Should you be wise enough to follow petg60's advice, I predict that you will find yourself toasting Lagavulin on the rocks...or similar...to him, as did I...while enjoying the most musical presentation you've ever heard through the gear that your wise adherence to his advice benefitted from. |
barnettk, I think you meant 0.4 and 0.5 mV. With 57dB you would need to install transformers for tubes 0.2 mv or less. ARC can be strange that way. 57 dB is too much gain for most high output cartridges but not enough for all MC cartridges. My PH3 SE has 54 dB. It is quiet enough for a cartridge with 0.5 mV output but it really sings with high output cartridges in the 3 mV region. I have a Soundsmith "Voice" ready to go as soon as Sota gets to building my turntable. I do have Sowter transformers installed inside the PH3 for low impedance MC cartridges but right now I'm into high output cartridges which IMHO are a much better value and in some ways better than MC cartridges. You could also install transformers in the PH7. In the future I intend on getting a current mode phono stage and a very low impedance MC cartridge. My understanding is that this combination results in a very dynamic sound challenging the high output cartridges in that regard. Where are you getting the Phillips from. Are they tested and graded? I generally only use RAM Labs and Upscale Audio because they test and grade all their tubes which I find very reassuring. I have always purchased the highest grades and have always gotten wonderful tubes. Very important for phono stages! |
