Tube Preamp with Solid State Amp

[MX117.MC7150]

Absolutely. The LS series was their lowest cost line of preamps. The Ref series is the up-scale line. No mark against the LS series as long as you know going in. Upgrade the coupling & power supply caps and make either one the SE version.

 

[theoman]

Don't see 6 x 12AX7's in either the LS16 MKII or LS17. Both list 2 x 6H30. The only reason to have that many 12AX7's would be if the unit was a linestage with a phono section as well.

http://www.arcdb.ws/LS16/LS16.html
http://www.arcdb.ws/LS17/LS17.html

Edit: Ok, don't mind me, I found the 12AX7's in the SP16 you listed further back.

jeff

those are the LS's

 

[vinylkid58]

After looking at the pictures for the inside and being a Design Engineer it looks all cost cutting.

The cost of production is ever present when designing a product, especially in North America.

jeff

 

[a_retent]

After looking at the pictures for the inside and being a Design Engineer it looks all cost cutting.

The cost of production is ever present when designing a product, especially in North America.

ARC still populates and silver solders their boards by hand. Paying someone to sit on a stool, hand bending each leg on every cap, diode, resistor, etc and then place thoughs items into their proper location on the board and they only have 2 or 3 people that do this. That process itself could be automated and cut production costs, and yet they chose to do it that way since 1970.

 

[Makis]

I am considering to get this phono to pair with my marantz 4400. I can get it used for 300€(or a littlke less) in good condition. Do you think its worht it or not?? Right now I am using the amp's phono stage which is not bad at all.
http://www.audioshow.gr/el/καταστημα/πικάπ-αξεσουάρ/προενισχυτές-πικάπ/tsakiridis-devices-zeus-moving-magnet-coil-pre-amplifier-4-x-12ax7-detail

 

[MX117.MC7150]

Looks/reads like a nice phono preamp. I'm a fan of the 6922 tube, especially in a phono stage. It should be a considerable upgrade to the internal phono preamp in your Marantz 4400, but only your ears can answer that question. Use google and see if you can find any reviews that have been posted on-line for same. It is not a piece of gear that we in NA or western Europe will be familiar with. For less than 300 euro, its a steal, based on its MSRP.