ARC users please

Hey George.A Magnum 99? Now your talking, it's a real beauty and a great match with your amplifiers. I'm taking bets your love affair with the LS-3 will come to an end very quickly.

Hello Scott. Audio Research has made reference grade preamps for more than 3 decades, dating back to the early 1970's when they first introduced the SP-2, an all tubed unit with a phono stage. The all tubed SP-3 series was introduced in 1976 and this preamp literally turned the high end industry on it's ear and established ARC company as a bonified high end company offering refence grade equipment. However, the sp-7 has never been considered the ARC signature sound and never will be for that matter. The sp-7 was the last offering of ARC's venture into the solid state camp. It's circuitry was actually the 3rd revision of the original sp-4 first introduced in 1976 and followed with the sp-5 introduced in 1977. None of their solid state offerings were ever taken very seriously and they discontinued all of their solid state preamps ending with the SP-7. You didn't mention the other preamps under a $1000 you were comparing it to. The good thing here is any of the ARC solid state preamp can be had for under $300 buckeroos with a little searching. To be candid here....In comparison to any of their sp series tubed preamps of that era would be like comparing hamburger to fille mignon. The Original sp-3 series will stomp on the sp-7 in every way and is in a whole higher league sonically. As newbee correctly pointed out... the sp-8 can be found for under a $1000. If you liked the sound of the SP-7 you will soil your pants after the first few bars of music with the sp8 as well as the sp-6 and sp-3. Search any of them out and give em a listen.

Hello Scott. Yes, the SP designation offered an on board phono stage where LS is a line only. Although the number designation does not always correlate to the same preamp. Example.... The LS-5 line stage is basically the same topology as that of the line of the SP-8. Note:I believe the LS-5 has "balanced outs" only. The LS-5 is a terrific preamp and their most sought after line stage.It typically gets snapped up pretty quickly here or on the used market and the reason why the posters above are recommending the SP-8 series. You get the phono stage as a added bonus if your ever considering vinyl as a source.The phono stage alone is worth the price of admission as it's a great one.Hope this helps. cheers

Hello Chang. I would certainly concurr with your observations, I have owned an Sp-10 mk2 since it was first introduced and I personally believe it to be the finest preamp ARC ever produced [haven't heard the latest reference 3]and yes,it's in a whole higher leaugue than the sp-8. However,Scott was comparing preamps for under $1000. If you can find me another SP-10 for under a kilo buck I will buy every one you can find.