Audio Research reference amplifiers used with RCA IC`s and unbalanced preamplifiers


I am considering purchasing used audio research reference amplifiers either 150se or 75 SE. My question is this

As these amplifiers are fully balanced and don't have an RCA input, can I use RCA interconnects with a conversion plug from RCA to balanced at the amplifier input and will it work in my system?

I don't have any balanced interconnects and don't want to go through the extra expense. Only one of my three preamplifiers has an XLR output and there's nothing indicating the preamplifier is fully balanced.

I find this balanced/ unbalanced criteria confusing.

 

nsp

Both the REF75SE and the REF150 SE are outstanding amps- better than any others I've had and I've had a lot of high end gear. The ARC amps (and their pre amps- I have an LS28Se) are flat out musical, dynamic and detailed- somehow they just get it 'right" for me. Yes, tubes run hot; they use more electricity, they will age and fail and are expensive. Like most other high end toys - like owning a Porsche or similar- they're expensive to maintain at times- but- they're really really good. A tube set from Upscale for the 75SE runs about $700, from ARC $1300. For the 150SE from Upscale about $1600, from ARC $3300. They last about 3k hours. They make wonderful music always.

And, if you get a higher end set of XLR cables you will notice another uptick in performance resolution etc. I run a fully balanced system, Ref 9 CD->LS10-> D240 it’s fabulous musical and an endgame set.
See my set up here.

newbee 

my preamps output impedances are as follows:

200 ohms from the Wavestream Kinetics

150 ohms from the Wyetech Ruby

3500 ohms from the updated /customized Counterpoint SA5000

speedthrills

Thanks. I agree it's a good idea to contact ARC directly and will do so as their answer will be definitive. 

Just curious how much wattage do your 75se and 150se put out in triode mode?

cant seem to find any data on this. 

johnread57

Thanks , Sounds like your fully balanced from source to speakers. Will take a look at your system.