Tubes Asylum Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ

---

[ Follow Ups ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Tubes Asylum ]

---

[ Alert Moderator ] [ Edit ] [ Delete ]

---

Which ARC SP8 is it? Now I'm confused

195.92.168.174

Posted by Dr Rock on September 4, 2005 at 01:35:51

Hi everybody!

I know this topic has been discussed before and I have searched the archives for info, but now I am confused. My SP8 arrived yesterday :-) and when I asked the dealer if it was a Mk1 or Mk2 he said 'Mk2', so I thought 'Great', as SP8's are not too common here in the UK.

But: it has yellow Wondercaps, 4 big silver capacitors and the two central valves are side by side, so I am thinking MK1.

However, V8 is 12AT7....

On the underside of the PCB at front centre is:

PWB227 (BTM)
AUDIO RESEARCH
16022710

On the topside, on the small PCB for the control knobs is:

PWB188B
(BTM)

I can't find any other serial numbers on the circuit board.

Serial number on the back is 52421002

Anyone got any ideas? It sounds great, so I'm going to keep it whatever, it's just I am wondering about V8 being a 12AT7 when if this is a MK1 it *should* be a 12AX7....

The good thing is this preamp sounds great, yet earlier I borrowed a BAT VK3i and an ARC LS7 and neither made any difference to the sound, which I suppose is good, but I prefer the SP8 already :-)

Many thanks in advance,

Fraser

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Kimber Kable

---

[ Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]

---

[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]

---