Bobby, I have owned an Audio Research SP-3A-1. I can say it is a little sweeter than the later preamps and if you are trying to decide between the SP-3 and early CJ I would recommend the SP-3. Although my opinion is biased because I have never been a fan of the early CJ sound. I have also owned the Quicksilver Full Function preamp and you can dramatically alter the sound with different tubes especially the 12AU7 and rectifier depending on which version you have. If you have the 5AR4 version I can loan you a vintage Mullard to experiment with. When I owned the SP-3A-1 I used it with an Audio Research D-75A. I am not sure how it would mate with other amps. The Quicksilver will work well with any amp due to its extremely low output impedance of only 12.5 ohms.
Audio Research SP3A-1 or Conrad Johnson PV11
I am in the process of switching to a different preamp. I have been using the Quicksilver Full-Function preamp for some time now, and I am after a less digital-sounding preamp. I am interested in hearing opinions of the Audio Research SP3A-1 versus the Conrad Johnson PV11.
I have been able to borrow both of these preamps for short periods of time, and they seem to have their strengths from imaging, dynamic range, and sound stage. One thing that seems to entice me is the speakers seem to disappear with the SP3 preamp, but the highs and lows seem better with the PV11. Not sure others would agree with this assessment? The SP3 was recently updated with a new power supply (original design…it was the last SP3 power supply board ARC had) and Wima caps were used throughout the driver board. The PV11 is all original. It might be my imagination, but the SP3 seems to take 3-4 hours of playing to really “open up”. Again, I might be imagining this.
I sure would appreciate others opinions. I have one friend tell me that the PV11 seemed to lack dynamic range, while the other said it he liked the PV11 over the SP3 because of the soundstage and how it played jazz.
FYI; I can only buy one more preamp or my wife will kill me.
Thanks
Bob
SYSTEM:
-Quicksilver Mini-mites, Telefunken 12AX7 driver and GE 6l6 Output tubes
-Dynaudio Contour 1.1 on Dynaudio Stand2’s
-M&K subwoofer
-Sony SACD player
Audioquest Jaguar Interconnects with Kimber Kable 4TC Speaker Cable
-I listen to everything from jazz, Dire Straits, to even Chet Atkins
I have been able to borrow both of these preamps for short periods of time, and they seem to have their strengths from imaging, dynamic range, and sound stage. One thing that seems to entice me is the speakers seem to disappear with the SP3 preamp, but the highs and lows seem better with the PV11. Not sure others would agree with this assessment? The SP3 was recently updated with a new power supply (original design…it was the last SP3 power supply board ARC had) and Wima caps were used throughout the driver board. The PV11 is all original. It might be my imagination, but the SP3 seems to take 3-4 hours of playing to really “open up”. Again, I might be imagining this.
I sure would appreciate others opinions. I have one friend tell me that the PV11 seemed to lack dynamic range, while the other said it he liked the PV11 over the SP3 because of the soundstage and how it played jazz.
FYI; I can only buy one more preamp or my wife will kill me.
Thanks
Bob
SYSTEM:
-Quicksilver Mini-mites, Telefunken 12AX7 driver and GE 6l6 Output tubes
-Dynaudio Contour 1.1 on Dynaudio Stand2’s
-M&K subwoofer
-Sony SACD player
Audioquest Jaguar Interconnects with Kimber Kable 4TC Speaker Cable
-I listen to everything from jazz, Dire Straits, to even Chet Atkins