Gunbei,
Instead of keeping the P2 cords, you could have returned them to Rick through his "trade-up" policy? I guess you wanted to keep those cords just in case.
I actually wanted to add there might or might not be certain virtues by using a splitter instead of the monster line conditioner. I suppose Rick would say something like your system won't sound like it is supposed to until you lose the conditioner; furhtermore, them cords already condition the ac.
Regarding Megasm's concern about surges, Rick told me modern equipment already have fuses that prevents vital parts of the equipment from being damaged.
Boys and girls,
I got a lesson that I learned the hard way to share with you all. I just got my "new" ARC amp back from repair. The repair costs me over $600. Why? For you newbies like myself, buying second tube equipment is tricky business. Here are some rule of thumbs:
1) Don't buy second hand tube equipment.
-This is what everyone in the audio business told me when I was seeking a technician to fix my amp.
2) If you do buy a second hand tube amp, make sure the seller installs the right tubes in the amp!!
-The ARC amps are designed to use 6550C, but the amp I got came with KT88.
-The technician told me these tubes ARC told me using any tubes other than 6550C is risky at best.
3) Don't buy second hand tube equipment!!
4) I don't want to hear personal testimonials about how you have purchased second hand tube amps without any problems.
-In tube amps and preamps, you need every tube to have matching voltage. All the input, driver, and power tubes need to match.
-This prolongs the life of the tubes and equipment, and this sounds the best.
-Hand sellers who mix and match tubes probably don't know what they are doing. Unless you are good with a voltage meter or know of a guy who is, don't get involved with a person who are trying to sell you a tube amp with mystery tubes, even if the tubes are well known and highly recommended by "enthusiasts".
5) I just learned the "rule of thumb" came from old english common law where you are not allowed to beat your wife with a stick that is thicker than the width of your thumb (I have no sources).
Instead of keeping the P2 cords, you could have returned them to Rick through his "trade-up" policy? I guess you wanted to keep those cords just in case.
I actually wanted to add there might or might not be certain virtues by using a splitter instead of the monster line conditioner. I suppose Rick would say something like your system won't sound like it is supposed to until you lose the conditioner; furhtermore, them cords already condition the ac.
Regarding Megasm's concern about surges, Rick told me modern equipment already have fuses that prevents vital parts of the equipment from being damaged.
Boys and girls,
I got a lesson that I learned the hard way to share with you all. I just got my "new" ARC amp back from repair. The repair costs me over $600. Why? For you newbies like myself, buying second tube equipment is tricky business. Here are some rule of thumbs:
1) Don't buy second hand tube equipment.
-This is what everyone in the audio business told me when I was seeking a technician to fix my amp.
2) If you do buy a second hand tube amp, make sure the seller installs the right tubes in the amp!!
-The ARC amps are designed to use 6550C, but the amp I got came with KT88.
-The technician told me these tubes ARC told me using any tubes other than 6550C is risky at best.
3) Don't buy second hand tube equipment!!
4) I don't want to hear personal testimonials about how you have purchased second hand tube amps without any problems.
-In tube amps and preamps, you need every tube to have matching voltage. All the input, driver, and power tubes need to match.
-This prolongs the life of the tubes and equipment, and this sounds the best.
-Hand sellers who mix and match tubes probably don't know what they are doing. Unless you are good with a voltage meter or know of a guy who is, don't get involved with a person who are trying to sell you a tube amp with mystery tubes, even if the tubes are well known and highly recommended by "enthusiasts".
5) I just learned the "rule of thumb" came from old english common law where you are not allowed to beat your wife with a stick that is thicker than the width of your thumb (I have no sources).