Ars Sonum/SBAM hook-up

Hi Swamp,

I am pretty sure that this is the way it goes. When you select CD, it takes that input and sends a signal both to the amp section and to the tape out RCA’s. In your setup, when you select input 2, it is looking for a line level source signal, but you only have your SBAM output to it, thus nothing is being sent to the “tape out” RCA’s in the back of the unit. It is truly not a tape loop like that of the Joule Electra preamps and others, it is simply a tape out and will only output IF you have selected the input with an actual signal going to it.
Bobby will probably explain it better.

I talked to Bobby. It turns out that this one was actually special ordered to not have a true tape loop; the person who ordered it used their CDP as a pre-amp. I assume it works the way David described. Ars literature says it has a tape loop and of course, the BAM manual suggests that it be inserted into a tape loop. I assumed it was a fully functional tape loop. Seller made no mention of the fact that it was special ordered and appears to suggest that he had no knowledge of same. My options are 1. return to seller (out shipping both ways); 2. manually change inputs to the SBAM when I switch from TT to CDP (royal PITA) or 3. have my SBAM modified to have 2 inputs cost approx $150). I think I'll chose door #3. Probably ship speakers and SBAM back to Bobby and have the lead free mod done at the same time. The take home lesson is that there are special order Ars amps out there that vary somewhat in their configuration, and if you are buying used, you should verify based on s/n that the one you want is right for you.

The take home lesson is that there are special order Ars amps out there that vary somewhat in their configuration, and if you are buying used, you should verify based on s/n that the one you want is right for you.
Swampwalker (System | Threads | Answers)

A similar thing happened to me on a used component. I discovered it when something wasn't operating as it should. I asked the manufacturer if he had done the modification. "I can't recall", he said. I asked the original owner if he had requested the mod? "I dunno", he said.

Nonsense. How could the owner or the manufacturer not be aware of a non-standard configuration?

Ultimately, I corrected the problem with the manufacturer's guidance.

As Swampwalker said, buyer beware, and ask very specific questions when making a deal. Assume nothing.