Buy an Audio Research SP10 MkII or an SP11 MkII ?

oh ... and one more thing ... does the LS5 do the same holographic sound stage thing as the SP10 ?

So if I look at a LS5, should it be Mark I, II or III and what should I use for a Phono stage, Audion Research ???

All hail to audiogon ... it is so brilliant to find like minded people on this planet. I used to use a Micromega CD with Pink Triangle De Capo DAC because this is the only way I could tolerate CD as I found it exhausting to listen to over a period of time (even though I enjoyed the convenience and the loss of the black disk foibles). The CAL Tempest II gives me a sound that is more dimensional and without hardness (but looses some of the analytical detail that I know others crave). The reason for my pursuit of the SP10 and now perhaps LS5/phono is that the analogue side always shocks with it naturalness and huge 3 dimessional soundstage. I love it when the boundaries of the room disappear and I am surrounded by sound coming from both the near and far distance. This makes my sensibilities feel that they are listening to music rather than a HiFi. Oh mi Oh mi calm down G !!! I am having great trouble tracking down an SP10 Mk II ... so if anyone knows of one PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SHOUT. From the hugely informative discussion so far (again many thanks) I feel I would love to experience the procees of evolving to LS5/phono rather than jumping straight there as sometimes the journey is as much fun as getting to the destination ...

I'm confused ... what does Tube Rolling mean ? I've got that Homer Simpson far away look on my face.