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"Stereophile" review and the Audio Research SP-10

Posted by Bambi B (A) on June 1, 2009 at 18:09:13

In Reply to: Stereophile review for ARC SP-10 posted by ScrojanOC on June 1, 2009 at 15:03:03:

ScrojanOC,

I had a pile of old "Sterophiles" including several Audio Research reviews: SP10, M300, D250 Servo reviews, but I rubbishised them when I moved in 2001. My memory of the SP10 review was that it was extremely complimentary as was the TAS review.

You might apply to "Stereophile" and even if there's a charge for reprints, you might be able to download it in seconds. It may be worth it if you're considering buying an SP10.

The SP10: In 1985 I had an audio epiphany and bought an Oracle III/Alphason turntable, ARC SP8 preamp and D115 power amp with Vandersteen 2C speakers. I still have the SP8, D115, and Vandersteens- the Oracle II became a III/SME 5.

The SP8 was just a marvel to me- spatial, detailed, natural timbres, discretion between instruments- everything seemed marvelous for reproduced sound. In 1987, two people on my office wanted new preamps and the three of us listened to various preamps- both solid state- Bedini, Levinson and tube: CAT SL-1, McIntosh, VTL, Audible Illusions, and Audio Research. We were all predisposed towards tube preamps.

Because of my strong fondness for the SP8, I promoted Audio Research tube preamps. This was the moment that tube makers were ceasing production, and Audio Research, seeing the trend, were offering both all-tube and their fiirst hybrids. We went to the ARC dealer and heard in single blind testing the SP8/II (similar to mine), SP9/I, SP11/I, and SP10/II. This was an amazing experience- I'd had only a couple of years audiophile experience, my colleagues only a little. We listened to the 4 preamps with LP and made notes independently. After an hour and a half of hearing each one 3 times- but we didn't know which we were hearing, we compared notes and we all three correctly identified the SP10 every time it was played, all three raved about it, all three correctly identified and hated the SP9/I, and all three had written shorter, middling opinions of the SP8/II and SP11/I- this was because the SP10 was so remarkably wonderful- all the others paled- and the SP8 and the SP11 were very, very good.

- All the focus was on the SP10 and all three of bought one. My partner eventually changed his for an LS2 and V140, but the other colleague and I still have our SP10's- 22 years later.

There is always something that ruins perfection and with the SP10, it's that it can be real trouble to find tubes that are quiet, non-microphonic, and rugged enough for the SP10 phono. The Vice-President of Gold Aero came to my home and went through 80- 7308's to find two that he found acceptable in the SP10 phono stage. I've bought 22- NOS 7308's (mainly Valvo) in hopes of finding two phono ones and two line stage ones. The good news is that the a well-selected EH6922 is not bad sounding at all, is quiet, and will survive the SP10 well.

Every so often, one comes across something that almost instantly seems to be almost perfect, and while the SP10 line stage can be improved upon, for phono, in 22 years, I've only heard two or three preamps I'd like as much- Hovland and CAT.

If you buy an SP10, I would recommend you consider an Audio Research power amplifier- tube or solid state. For some reason, ARC makes all their gear work very well together. I tried the 1987 SP10 with my solid state D130 of 1996- and it is a great combination. I heard an amazing thing- running a Revox B160 tuner > the SP10 > into a $150 Sony 100W receiver - and the results were too good be true,..

Amplifiers by other makers I've heard the SP10 with have never seemed as satisfying. McIntosh and VTL seemed especially incompatible for some reason- different sonic philosophies? If you buy an SP10 and add a pair of M100 monoblocks you will, in my view, have extremely happy ears! The M100 are still among my favourite two or three medium tube power amplifiers.

I apologise to ramble on so, but the SP10 inspires a good ramble!


Cheers,

Bambi B

[ARC: SP8, SP10, LS3, D115, D130]

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