Tubed Linestage

Hi Handyman,

Just a thought. I used to have a ARC PH3-SE for many years. I had it modified by the Great Northern Sound Company and rolled NOS tubes in it. Though improved from stock it always seemed to have a certain "edge" or detail to it as you describe. I believe that the contibutor to that sound was that I left the unit at its stock 47K loading all the time I owned it. I was never proficient enough to solder the supplied resistors in place to change the loading nor did I seek someone out who could. The ARC PH7 has the ability to change the loading to preselected loads from either the remote control or the faceplate.

Only since owning my Nagra phonostage which has the option to change the loading did I hear the difference this can make to the overall musical presentation.

My only regret is that I did not pursue this when I owned the PH3. I believe now this was the source of discontent I heard with this phonostage.

BTW when I auditioned the PH7 against my GNSC Reference modified PH3 with NOS tubes. I consistently preferred the PH7. Tried this two times and reached the same conclusion.

There are some great modded Jolida's, do a google search. Also, the Pass Labs Xono has gotten great reviews for years because, it's really good.

I have a modded (PartsConnexion through Underwood HiFi) PS Audio GCPH, that has beaten all competitors over the years.

The edge you are hearing is a result of your power amps. I have owned KMA 160s, but before the KMAs I had a KSA 80B. Sonically speaking the KSA 80B was much better than the KMA 160s. If you remember that the KMA 160s were this amp that could programed from a KSA 80 to a single KMA 160 mono block. It was bit more involved than programming. You had to send the amp back and the factory would re-configure the inside of the amp and put on a new rear apron. What Krell did was bridge the amp. I simply sold the my 80B and bought a set of KMA 160 monos and they had lots of edge and were very hard sounding. At that point I sent them back to Krell and had them set up a KSA 80Bs and bought an electronic crossover and re-configured the system. The Krell 80B was a delight but the KMA 160s were simply a nightmare. Sell those amps and find your self a set of Threshold Mono blocks same money much better sound. PS I have owned many Audio Research pre-amps tube and solid state and they all have been first class in their sound. Smooth, rich, transparent, and powerful.

Handymann,

>>I read where it was suggested that ARC equipment doesn't mate well with Krell...

I have never heard that before. I ran an ARC PH-3SE and LS-16 into a Krell KAV-250 powering my Apogee hybrid ribbons for years, and I thought that it sounded great. Although I ultimately replaced the Krell amp with a refurbished McCormack unit, I can't say that there was a mismatch between the ARC gear and the Krell amp. If you like the Krell sound it will be fine. If you don't, it won't.

I used to use a FPB 600 and tried an ARC preamp with it and really loved the sound. It's what convinced me there was something to the tube sound. Audition in your system first if possible but I think you'll be fine.