Audio research

Absolutely,  trade the LS3 for the SP9 and don't look back. I have owned both and do not like the LS3 ss preamp.

I auditioned the SP9 Mk 2 and found it wanting. Ended up buying an SP14 that was far better.  I'd pass on the SP9 - you can do better.

The SP14 phono stage used exactly one tube, so no issues with trying to find tubes going south, and it sounded good enough that it lived in my main system for a decade before being replaced.

Also, consider a separate phono stage. 

Used to own the SP-9.  Read the Stereophile reviews.  It never lived up to its hype.  ARC  modded it two times. There are SP-9 Mk IIIs floating around out there somewhere

I moved up the ARC line up and landed at the Ref 3, a very good linestage.  I'm currently holding at the Ref 6.

You might want to look around for a used SP-20, which basically has the innards of a Ref 5/LS27 and a PH-8.  Check the reviews.  

In short, I would be circumspect about dropping a grand on the SP-9.

This is what you need.

http://tubes4hifi.com/pre11.htm#PH16