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I'm not convinced the SP8 is the problem,..

Posted by Bambi B (A) on October 16, 2009 at 09:25:45

In Reply to: ARC "Upgrade-itis" posted by palewin on October 16, 2009 at 07:54:04:

palewin,

In my view, having owned an SP8 since 1985, having heard the 150.2, and from what little I know about NAD CD players, the best component in your system may be the SP8, and it's possible that your current system dissatisfaction may derive from the 150.2.

When I changing to a solid state system for my office (eventually: LS3 > D130) I was tempted by the 150.2 as it makes quite a lot of power for the cost as used and of course is well-made. However, by reputation and from memory listening in the shop, there is some quality of these switching amps that bothers me. I find them fatiguing in some way without knowing exactly what causes that sensation, but it reminds me of early digital.

My recommendation would be to keep the SP8- possibly making a tube adjustment- and instead of a new preamp, consider replacing the power amplifier, look more deeply into the wires, and possibly the CD player.

I believe that putting an LS26 in front of the 150.2 may actually cause more "upgrade-itis" as the LS26- and really all the 6H30 designs are wonderful in the right company, but absolutely merciless in revealing the quality and synergy of all the other components. I found this effect in a small way with the LS3 and D130 combination- after buying those I had to change almost everything else in the system! New interconnects and speaker wires cost as much as the LS3.

For the power amplifier as you're using the Magnepans, I'd suggest a D300 (160W) or D400/II (200W). The 100.2 I think is still the best sounding solid state amplifier from ARC- but probably the 100W is a bit light for the speakers. The D200/300/400 series are still among the best ARc solid state designs. I'm also an enthusiast for the D130 (130W), which I've used about 5 years now, and the D240 (110), which are wonderfully clean and neutral, but again may not make the Maggies sing. Probably the D400/II would be the thing. By the way, the D130 sounds it's best after being about 5 hours and I think most ARC solid state needs long warm up.

As for CD player, again I don't know the current NAD line, and I imagine that it doesn't go far wrong in any way, but I did hear a really impressive $700 player in the Rotel 1072. When I got the LS3 and D130, the Cambridge Audio 640C v2 I had suddenly seemed dry and lifeless while the Rotel was open, dynamic, and very listenable. I considered a Rega Apollo too, and it appeals in many ways, but in the end I felt it had an odd artificially smooth quality. In the end I bought a nicer power cord for the 640C and in the SP10 > D115 system, it gives acceptable results- better dynamics and cleaner transients.

If you're convinced it is the SP8 that's letting down the team, and you'd like to keep the 150.2, instead of the LS26- which I'm convinced will make you less happy- I'd consider an LS25- the original version using 6922's. The 6DJ8 tube family is one I have a love/hate relationship with- and hate wins more often, but with the LS25 I think you only need two really good ones for the gain. A couple of good Siemens or early -mid 60's E88CC Philips / Amperex/ Valvo and other two can be EH. The other good feature of an LS25 is that the difference between that ($2500) and a used LS26 ($3800)- about $1,300- will buy you a good PH3SE. The SE has a number of upgraded components and is a really good phono preamp.

Also, I'm among the recent converts to the critical importance of the wires. I'd been ticking over for years on 80's wires and had revelations when changing my 1985 Audioquest super eight conductor wonders for AQ Rocket 88's- like a new system! When I was auditioning tuners, I bought AQ King Cobra interconnects- recommended by the local ARC dealer- and this was another great improvement. It was amazing, I ran a Revox B160 tuner ($1000 new) to a $150 Sony receiver and with the King Cobra's- once they were burned in- the sound just amazed me. I learned - or rather re-learned all over the importance of the source, and also that wire technology has improved in 25 years.

I spoke to Richard Vandersteen a few weeks ago, and he was very enthusiastic about the Vandersteen 7's. > What did you think? For the price- $40,000- I expect them to be very nice indeed. RV mentioned that he was using them in his living room at home- which is something like 60+' X 28' and 17' high. I use 2C's but have been thinking of 3A's lately,..

Happy hunting!


Cheers,

Bambi B

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