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I've used an SP8- very similar to the SP6- a long while





PHOTO: Audio Research SP6, from the ARC Database- see link below

AGolski,

I've had an Audio Research SP8 (Revision 4/ MKII) since 1985 and an SP10 since 1987, used with an ARC D115 tube or, briefly, a D130 solid state. I used both with a high output MC on first an Oracle II_Alphason and then an Oracle III with an SME V and Vandersteen 2 speakers.

The SP6 is from the period of ARC I like the best, all tube stuff from the era just before the first hybrids were being made. The original SP11 is admirable but the first SP9 and the D125 were in my view made the least attractive sounds ARC ever produced. The SP9/III however was quite good though not what I'd call an "involving" sound. The SP6 and 8 however are fully engaging- they invite you to listen into the music- and for hours.

The late SP6's- there were I think revisions through the letter "F" are quite similar to the early SP8. These preamps are quite neutral, dynamic, and nicely transparent with the right tubes- I like the energetic Siemens- especially the triple mica E83CC in the phono- and the SP8 can run as I say high output MC's. The phono stage is where these preamps excel- the natural timbre, discretion between sounds, the palpable soundstage can be amazing on good LP's. Never harsh. I've never heard an SP10 with electrostatic speakers, but certainly the SP8 with Acoustats 2+2's was fantastic- that imaging!- and I expect the SP6 would work really well with Quads or Magnepans (plus the right power).

[My favourite ARC solid state amps by the way are: 100.2, D200_300_400/II, D130, D240 and I often thought of having the SP8 with a D400/II (200W) and some tall, wide, but very thin speakers of some kind..]

Besides the imaging, the wonder of ARC is the excellent build quality- I's have no hesitation in recommending a well-maintained 25+ year old piece of gear. Plus, ARC is like a club and whether you bought new or used, ARC will cheerfully help you with it and has all the parts- they want all their stuff to be working. The customer service really is something old-fashioned in the way of Roll-Royce.

I don't have a lot of experience with c-j except some with the PV10 and even less with a PV12 and I find the sound a bit too soft and fluffy- defocused and bit thick. It's pleasant- like a more modern McIntosh, but not satisfying to me because I like like an effortless, transparent sound that I haven't heard from older c-j designs.

The SP8 and SP10 are quite different in approach- the SP10 is "superior" in every way really, but the SP10 is also relentlessly revealing of the recording and source- and wires, and speakers, and power and,..- while the SP8 is "friendlier" and on imperfect recordings is actually less fatiguing- just a tiny bit liquid. If I had to sell either the SP8 or the SP10, there would be a real contest and I expect the SP8 might win. Previous notions to "downsize" have leaned towards the SP8.

If you shop for an SP6, check the revision letter and get as far down the alphabet as possible- D,E,F. However, if your budget extends to $1200-1400, you may as well have an SP8 and have the ultimate expression of that line of design that started with the SP3.


Cheers,

Bambi B

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






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  • I've used an SP8- very similar to the SP6- a long while - Bambi B 04/22/1007:08:46 04/22/10 (0)

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