2. amps-preamps
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ARC SP8 as Phono Stage

Thanks to an A'gon transaction, an LS17 should be arriving in the near future to replace my SP8. So one simple question, and one subjective one:

The easy question (really looking for confirmation): I would like to use my SP8 as a phono stage, while letting the bank account rebuild, and then watch A'gon to see if an ARC PH5 appears. I believe that if I connect the line-outs from my SP8 to the phono-ins on the LS17, that will effectively use the SP8 as a phono stage, correct?

Subjective: Would anyone venture what level phono stage I would need to better the SP8-as-phono set-up? In other words, would virtually any dedicated phono stage be better, or would I need a $1K stage to better the SP8, etc. (if I don't go the PH5 route)?
palewin
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,943 posts
 
Yes. Plug your table into the phono input on the SP8, then the preamp outputs of the SP8 to any line level input on the LS17. Use the volume control on the SP8 to match levels and your good to go.

The SP8 has a pretty decent phono stage, so you would have to go to a PH5 or PH7. A PH3SE might be a little better.
kentaja
25 posts
 
Use the record output from the SP-8 connected to the phono input on the LS-17, or any other input they are all the same.

Using the main outputs on the SP-8 will include the line section of the preamp as well. Since you just need the phono section this will be needless additional circuitry in the signal path and will degrade the overall performance of the system.

mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,943 posts
 
If you use the Tape Record Out like Kentaja recommends, you will also bypass the volume control. You might not have enough gain. It would be a cleaner signal, but the gain can't be adjusted. Try it both ways and see what sounds better. Also, some tape outs are buffered, not sure if the SP8's are or not?
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,943 posts
 
According to the specs on the SP8, the phono input to tape output is 34db of gain. The phono input to main output is 60db of gain. So, it would depend on what the output voltage of your cartridge is. 34db is a little on the low side.
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