AudioAficionado.org - Who is still loving an older ARC preamp or amp?

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- - Who is still loving an older ARC preamp or amp? (https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=48963)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdh888 (Post 1033220)

Hi guys ,

I was able to compare my newly recapped D79B w/ KT88's and Telefunken 12ax7 input tubes to a REF75 in my system consisting of the VPI HR-X w/ Fatboy unipivot 12", Benz Micro Gullwing SLR ,ARC REF Phono 2 SE and REF 40 Anniv line stage & Duntech C5000 Princess. Although the REF 75 gave more musical information and were more extended in the high frequency the D79B had more meat in the bone in the mids ,had a more powerful midbass and was more powerful /robust sounding probably because of the immense power supply and large power transformer . Both amps had tight bass. The mids of both amps were to die for .Now the question is will I sell my D79B to get a REF 75 since the price of both amps when preowned are similar (here in our country), I think I wont . hoping I can post a picture but I dont know how.

tdh888

Interesting, I would question whether the Tele 12AX7's contributed heavily to the fact that you heard 'more meat on the bones' with the older amp....this would not surprise me. You may need to consider the fact that the D79B is more difficult to bias than the Ref 75...otherwise if you are happy with the older amp, why not just keep it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveyf (Post 1033320)

I agre that the the Telefunken 12AX7’ s maybe responsible for the meatier mids . The D79B’s are easy to bias bec it also had meters in front and the adjustment ports are right in front just like the REF 75 . The D.C. balance can likewise be adjusted easily one just need a digital voltage meter . No plans in selling my D79B’s because it’s partnered w/ another D79B, w/c has the succeeding serial no.’s , w/c I use w/ the ARC EC21 active crossover driving my factory rebuilt Magnepan MG3A ( vintage system )

I still own and occasionally use an ARC system from the 90's. I rotate it into my listening room periodically. V140 Monoblocks and LS2 preamp. The triode V140 amps are so crystal clear, transparent and dynamic. They still have the original ARC tubes (KT90/91 from Yugoslavia) and GE driver tubes. Amps have never been touched and still perform today like they did when new. I always check bias when rotating the ARC system into the music room, and bias has never drifted more than 2mV +/- from the factory recommended 75mV DC. Great sounding system indeed!

Fun Fact: Analog Productions used the V140's as cutting amplifiers in their mastering equipment for vinyl.