ARC SP8 as Phono Stage

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?

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.

So the main output has 26 db more gain than the phono through tape out; will not this be made up by the gain in the line stage? I have used a tube pre in this manner and never had gain problems.

The SP8 has an MM phono stage. It is not meant to be used for MCs. If you do not have enough gain on the input of the LS-17 from the SP-8's tape outputs, then get a phono stage that is appropriate for your cartridge. DO NOT use the preamp outputs or you have all of the SP-8 line stage circuitry as noted above. The SP-8 along with the SP-10 had horrible line stage performance.

The SP-8 is a great product but has limited usage. You can easily sell it and get a PH1, PH2, PH3 or PH3SE for the SP-8 price or even less! And your problem of gain will be solved and ultimately far better results.

There are other ARC line stages, most notably the LS5 and LS25 Mk I, that sell for much less than the LS17 and would significantly destroy the LS17 in musical performance. Give these consideration as well if you want to stay in the ARC domain.

Stanwal,

The LS17 has only 12db of gain through SE and 18db through balanced. Again it would depend on the cartridge's output.

I agree that a standalone phono stage would be the way to go.