Agreed, the AR 9 Mk II is thin sounding and lacks dynamics, not one of AR's better offerings. NOS tubes won't give it sufficient body, the SS circuitry dominates any tube swaps.
Minimax or Audio Research SP 9 mk III ?
Budget is $600 for tube preamp. Looking to add some body and dynamics to the music.
Recently downsized from MWI 9.0 SE Signature and MWI 9100es.
System is Sony PSP 1, Red Wine 30.2 integrated and Vandersteen 2ce Signatures with Clear Day Silver Biwire speaker cables.
thanks
Ken