Audio Research?

[salmtpa]

Originally Posted by wpines

Our local McIntosh dealer likes to recommend Audio Research preamps with McIntosh amps.

I can certainly vouch that the LS26 and MC402 are a great match. Interestingly enough I have 5K+ hours on the original tubes in the LS26 and haven't noticed any degradation yet. Starting to think I should swap out the tubes just because...

[cmalak]

salmtpa...no need the 6H30s in the LS26 are rated to go up to 10,000 hrs. You are only half way through

[TMcD]

Originally Posted by cmalak

salmtpa...no need the 6H30s in the LS26 are rated to go up to 10,000 hrs. You are only half way through

I see you also have a Ref 110. Have you ever had to re-tube it? Is going through ARC the best option? Thanks Tim.

[cmalak]

Tim...I have retubed it once. The 6550 output tubes are rated to last for 1500-2000 hrs. I had a tube go bad at the 1600 hr mark and its associated resistor went bad (acts like a fuse), so when I sent it in to ARC to get resistor changed (still under warranty), i had the output tubes replaced and everything else checked out since it was there for a repair. ARC is definitely the most expensive option when retubing but what you get is carefully chosen tube quads that measure well but you will pay a premium for it. Had my Ref 110 not been in for service I probably would have retubed it from Tube Depot. The tech at my dealer has dealt with them for many years and knows that they do a good job. Hope this helps Tim.

[TMcD]

Thanks Cyril, that does help, I have around 1400 hours on it, so a ways to go yet. I do not mind spending the extra and getting them from ARC, but I will check Tube Depot as well.

[cmalak]

Tim...I am curious what speakers you had before the Sophia 3s (I think you have had these for 3-4 months now)? Do you find the Ref 110s can drive them easily? Do you like the ARC-Wilson combo? Thx

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by wpines

Our local McIntosh dealer likes to recommend Audio Research preamps with McIntosh amps.

Yes, here too !
A popular motto is : "Tube amplifiers are McIntosh's Domain. Preamplifiers are ARC's one. "

[TMcD]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Tim...I am curious what speakers you had before the Sophia 3s (I think you have had these for 3-4 months now)? Do you find the Ref 110s can drive them easily? Do you like the ARC-Wilson combo? Thx

I had a pair of Dynaudio Contour S3.4, I really liked them and had them for years, but the 3s do so much more. No issues at all with the Ref110 driving them and they do sound fantastic. I am also using Transparent Reference cable. They seem like a very easy speaker to drive, during break in I had my Linn Classic hooked up to them and it drove them and sounded good.

[Jerome W]

Just being curious :
do you know the retail price of the ARC Anniversary Reference preamp ? and the Ref 5 preamp ?
Thanks a lots folks !

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Just being curious :
do you know the retail price of the ARC Anniversary Reference preamp ? and the Ref 5 preamp ?
Thanks a lots folks !

Jerome...in the US, the Anniversary pre is $25K and the Ref 5 is $12K. The Ref 5s rarely come up on Agon but when they do you can find them for around $8.5K-$9.0K but I have seen 2 or 3 of these in the last 6 mos in that price range. I am sure in another year, they will be a bit more that get listed on Agon for a little bit less.