Please Recommend a Low Gain Solid State Amp ARC


Hi all,

The amplifier I am using is a McCormack DNA-125, which has 30db of gain. I have an Audio Research SP8 MkII preamplifier. I had Audio Research lower the gain in my SP8 recently, but needless to say, the volume through my Vandersteen 3A Signatures still gets loud in a hurry. I was wondering if someone could please recommend a low gain, solid state Audio Research amplifier that is rated between 100-200 watts per channel? I do not want a tube amplifier, and I do not want to get rid of my precious (SP8 MkII).

Thank you!
distortions
Have you considered just lowering the voltage delivered to your preamp from your sources by using Rothwell's audio attenuators? It's a lot cheaper than buying a new amp and their insertion in the audio chain is inaudible to my ears.

www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/attenuators.html
30dB of voltage gain is slightly higher than average, while an amp with around 24dB gain may be more typical - but the difference is only 6dB, and that won't buy you much additional range on your volume control (very little, in fact). The real issue is the volume control not resolving the low-end of the attenuation range well (combined with the high gain of the preamp), but there isn't much you can do about that. If you are going to change amps, try to find one closer to 20dB gain if possible, or at least try to maximize the gain difference.

Another option is to use a truly transparent signal attenuator designed for use in high-performance audio systems. By strange coincidence, I happen to be making just the thing ;-)

Best regards,

Steve McCormack
SMc Audio
Honestly, Audio Research in my opinion has not produced a solid state amplifier that can compete with the McCormack's soundstaging & musicality except for the AR 100.2 which has been tauted as one of their best solid state amps. Their forte has mostly been in tube gear with some exceptions.

Right now I have the opposite problem you are experiencing. My active preamp is not providing enough gain for my current amp for the exception of the CD player & most always the CD player has more gain than the other source components. If you mostly listen to CDs it would nice if you could find a quality player with built-in level control to alleviate your problem. If push comes to shove I would prefer your situation.