Replacing SP11 mK2


I have a Audio Research SP11 Mk2 that is showing its age.
I need some ideas on a replacement that is alot better.
I want to stick with ARC. I cannot aford the Ref.
In my 11 I have Mit caps in line stage and Infinicaps in phono stage, i only point this out for reference.It is much better than a stock 11
Any advice would be welcome
Jim
jimh
I had the ARC SP9 and enjoyed it immensely for 10 years. But ultimately I had to face the same dilemma that you are facing right now. I listened to lots of different preamps before i finally settled on CAT Ultimate Preamp. It's an absolute masterpiece of work. Trust me, I listened to a lot of preamps. Good luck
I had a audio research sp 11 also for years,went to Thor Audio T1000 linestage. A whole new world of music! You will hear music you din't know you had.
Having also had the Sp 11/2, like Rcprince I gave it up for the Jadis, on which I'm now st(r)uck. You will rarely find them used, to my ears Rcprince's proposals are excellent, but if you can find a CAT Ult. used, I'd also give it a try.
I second (third) the CAT Ultimate which should be cheaper than the Jadis -- but difficult to find used. Between the two, I think the Jadis has the edge but pls note that while I've lived with a CAT I've only auditioned the Jadis pre.