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Audio Research SP-8 pre amp Did I damage this?

superdog

superdog

AK Member
I found this at the thrift ($9.99) and to truthful I had no idea what is was other than it was a pre-amp.In my haste to get to work and spotting a pair of Vandersteens Model 2 I plugged it in to see if it had power.I then noticed that it was tube as I turned it on and noticed a tube light really bright then dim.One tube really bright initially then dimmer than the rest.It wasn't until i got home that I realized what I had.Educate me on this.
 
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superdog said:
I found this at the thrift ($9.99) and to truthful I had no idea what is was other than it was a pre-amp.In my haste to get to work and spotting a pair of Vandersteens Model 2 I plugged it in to see if it had power.I then noticed that it was tube as I turned it on and noticed a tube light really bright then dim.One tube really bright initially then dimmer than the rest.It wasn't until i got home that I realized what I had.Educate me on this.
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Don't panic, i'll recover your cost. I'll pay 9.99 + transport. :-)
 
century tek said:
You have been around here for awhile and you mean to tell me that you don't know the famous mullard flash? :D
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Never heard of it.I am not a tube guy.I guess your saying the tube is toast.I would think the thrift plugged this in before I did.I mean thats their test.If it doesn't power on they toss it.If that is the case i am assuming the tubes are pricey.Looks like they are made in West Germany.Does that mean Telefunken?
 
OMG. You have no idea what you got there. I'd double, no quadruple, no give you 50 times your money for that unit without even a second thought.
 
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superdog said:
Never heard of it.I am not a tube guy.I guess your saying the tube is toast.
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No. The search function will tell you all you want to know, using terms that have already been referenced.

Looks like they are made in West Germany.Does that mean Telefunken?
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There were other manufacturers in Germany.
 
superdog said:
That's what I am seeing after I got home and researched it.To be frank I know nothing about this level of gear.I live in a world of mostly 70s ss stuff.
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Oh, man, you're in trouble now: I was a 70's vintage guy, and then I got a good deal on an Audible Illusions tube pre with a B&K EX 442 amp (nowhere near as good a deal as YOU got, but still...). Hooking that up changed everything for me in terms of my expectations of music.
Form the very little I've heard of Audio Research stuff, that preamp might very well make that Audible Illusions I had look like a punk.

Nice find!
 
junkaudio said:
nr. 1 deal 2013 so far
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That's saying quite a bit even for someone like me that previously knew nothing about this.Initially I am looking to build a system around this with the best that I have.I am not about the flip.If it moves me to the next level that's what I am about.Really what I want now is suggestions on exactly what I am in for. Thanks.
 
Find a competent tech you trust to work on it , if you can't afford to have it updated at the factory , you want it to look good inside if you ever want to part with it .
 
I guess you saw that one on EBay today for three thousand bucks.
Now you're in trouble. You are going to have to figure out how to feed your new puppy. But, congratulations, anyway, because it's a super good thing and I hope you are having fun with it.
 
Dealing with what I have I am going to see if I can bypass the pre amp section on a Luxman R-117 and use the amp section with this pre amp into a set of JBL L112s also a set of Electrovoice SP 15s.I know this is not an optimal setup but this is where I start.
 
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