Description
Tube stereo preamplifier.
Introduced
1978
Discontinued
?
Revisions
SP-6A (1978)
SP-6B (1980)
SP-6B-1
SP-6C (1981)
SP-6C-1
SP-6C-1 Revised
SP-6E (1982)
SP-6F
The SP-6F is actually an SP-8 MK II! Back in the day American Sound in Toronto could not get any SP-8's to meet customer demand due to a lack of SP-8 faceplates at the time. Some creative thinking between ARC and American Sound led to a run of 20 (or so) SP-8 MK II's with SP-6 faceplates. They called it an SP-6F.
Options
-
MSRP (US new retail)
SP-6: $1,195
SP-6A: $1,195
SP-6B: $1,295. Later increased to $1,495
SP-6C-1: $2,195
SP-6E: $2,350
Specifications
| Frequency response | High level section: ±.25dB, 10Hz
to 30kHz. -3dB points approximately .1Hz and 250kHz into hi-Z load. (-3dB point approximately 1 Hz into 100kOhm load.) Magnetic phono: ±1dB of RIAA from 30Hz to 15kHz. |
|---|---|
| SP6-B: High level section: ±.25dB, 5Hz to 30kHz. -3dB points below 1 Hz and above 100kHz Magnetic phono: ±.25dB of RIAA from 30Hz to 40kHz. |
|
| Distortion (THD) | Harmonic distortion: Less than
.03% at 5V RMS output, IHF load, 20Hz to 20kHz (typically about .003% in
midband). Intermodulation distortion: Less than .008% at 5V RMS output, IHF load, SMPTE method. |
| SP6-B: Harmonic distortion: Less than .01% at 2V RMS output, 20Hz to 20kHz (typically about .0005% in midband). Intermodulation distortion: Less than .002% at 2V RMS output. |
|
| Noise & hum | High level: (1) 250 µv RMS maximum residual unweighted wide-band noise at main output with gain control minimum (86dB below 5V RMS output). (2) More than 90dB below 1V RMS input (less than 20 µV equivalent input noise). |
| Magnetic phono: 5 µV equivalent input noise, wideband RMS (-66dB reference 10mV input). | |
| Gain | Magnetic phono input to tape output, 34dB. |
| Magnetic phono input to main output, 60dB. | |
| High level inputs to tape output, 0dB. | |
| High level inputs to main output, 26dB. | |
| Input impedance | 50 kOhms, all inputs. (Magnetic phono may have any value from 10 ohms to 100 kOhms substituted. Also has provision to add input capacitance for matching certain magnetic cartridges.) |
| Output impedance | 500 ohms at 1kHz, rising to 2.1 kOhms at 20Hz, all outputs. Recommended minimum load for maximum audio quality, 20 kOhms. |
| SP6-B: Less than 500 ohms main output, 1000 ohms tape output. Recommended minimum load for maximum audio quality, 50 kOhms and 250 pF maximum capacitance. | |
| Output polarity | |
| Maximum inputs | Magnetic phono, 700 mV at 1kHz
(>2V RMS, 100kHz). High level inputs essentially overload proof. |
| SP6-B: Magnetic phono, 500 mV at 1kHz (1.5V RMS, 10 kHz). High level inputs essentially overload proof. |
|
| Rated outputs | 5V RMS 10Hz to 30kHz, all outputs, IHF load. (Main output capability is 60V RMS output at <1% THD at 1kHz into 100 kOhm load with 3V RMS high level input.) |
| SP6-B: 2V RMS 5Hz to 30kHz, all outputs, 60 ohm load. (Main output capability is 60V RMS output at .5% THD at 1kHz into a 500 kOhm load with 3V RMS high level input.) | |
| Power supplies | SP6-B: 4 electronically-regulated solid-state supplies. Frequency-compensated high voltage supplies have a total equivalent low frequency stability of greater than 3 farads of capacitance. Line regulation better than .001%. |
| Tube complement | SP6: (2) 12AX7 LN, (4) 12AX7 SP-6C: (2) 12AX7 LN, (2) 12AX7, (2) 6922 SP-6F: (2) 12AX7 LN, (3) 12AX7, (2) 6922, (1) 12BH7 |
| Power requirements | 105-120/210-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 35 watts. |
| SP6-B: 100-120/190-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 35 watts. | |
| Other | |
| Dimensions | 19" (48 cm) W x 5 1/4" (13.4 cm) H (standard rack panel) x 10 1/4" (26 cm) D. Handles extend 1 5/8" (4.1 cm) forward of front panel. Rear chassis fittings extend 7/8" (2.3 cm). |
| Weight | 22 lbs. (10 kg) Net, 30 lbs. (13.75 kg) Shipping |
Reviews
Number 13 (SP-6: Full Review), Number 14
(SP-6: Further Thoughts), Number 15 (SP-6A: Full Review), Number 18 (SP-6B: Full Review), Number 19
(SP-6B: Further Thoughts), Number 24 (SP-6C-1: Special Report), Number 25 (SP-6C: Further Thoughts,
SP-6C-1 Revised: Special Report), Number 28 (SP-6E: Full Review)Pictures
SP-6:
SP-6A:
SP-6B:
SP-6C:
SP-6C-1:
SP-6E:
