I have used this with the Audio Research M100s monoblocks and theie DH400 MKII. Matched will with both. Driving Maggies with a pair of 12" velodyne subs

I bought this as a MkI and have had Audio Research upgrade to a MKII then MKIII. For the MKII owners, the upgrade is well worth the cost. The improvement in the line stage is easily apparent, while the phone stage has always been a strong point IMO

I bought mine used to replace a classe model six. I wanted to save some money and didn't feel like having expensive hi-fi anymore. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that the sp9 is a great sounding preamp, better than the classe, especially if you have a tube amp (mine is the golden tube se40). Very, very good imaging and soundstaging, plenty of air around the instruments, detail of solid state but warmed up a bit by the tubes. I cannot imagine getting a preamplifier anywhere near this one for $500. ARC is legendary for good reason. If you want something that sounds great, whether for cds, records (what I play the most of), or vcr/dvd, look no further. Plus, it looks like a ham radio.

Similar Products Used:

classe model six

Clear, clean sound, great dyanmics & phono stage

analytical hybrid design

I have owned this preamp (the original, not the revised versions mainly discussed here) since its inception in the late 1980's. While the design is a hybrid of tubes and transistors, the sonic character of this unit is nothing like the company's venerable SP3 series that had been discontinued a decade earlier. It is more in tune with transistor units that were popular at the time. That is, it has a more etched, analytical sound than what a listener might expect to hear from ARC - or any other high end maker of quality tube preamps of the day.

I suspect though, that the unit is far more competitive in today's audio market, as the goal of designers today is to make a product that is more analytical than it is euphonic.

The preamp can be improved (made softer sounding) by changing the two 6DJ8's to something a little older - any vintage brand will probably help a lot. I would be hard pressed to find a unit in today's market at less than $4000 that would be as satisfying in the playback of vinyl media, despite its analytical sound.

Similar Products Used:

none in recent years

Audio Research means high end products to me. Earlier, I used to listen to my cousin's Mark Levinson preamp/Audio Research tube amp/Dalquist DQ 10's in the 80's and Audio Research LS preamp/VTL tube amp/Martin Logins in the late 90's. So when I had a chance to own an Audio Research preamp myself, I grabbed it. With my modest CD-based system of Audio Research SP9 MKII preamp, Quad 405 100 watts per channel amp and PSB Alpha 2, I am already pleased with the clear 3-dimensional sound. Audio Research SP9 can really ensure sterling performance from a modest system. For more musical delight, am looking forward to the system's upgrade to tube amp and matching speakers to compliment my SP9. For now, the SP9 MKII already earns 5 stars for its performance and will remain in my system for a long time.

Extremely unfatiguing,bass definition and control,even portrail of all frequinces,versatility,easy upgrade path.

Balance and mode switch are non essentials,slightly (factual)sound,yes a valve amp---but shared on output?

Hi,I have had a keen intrest in hi-fi for over twenty years and have owned many peices of hi-fi,some i will always regret selling.My first pre-amp was an audiolab 8000c(more on this later)and then i purchased two croft pre amps(www.eminent audio.co.uk).At the same time my freind had an arc sp9 mark 1 and i was impressed with the build and decent sound.I then heavily researched the world of hi-fi and decided to try an arc sp9mk2 bought second hand from my local area.I will try and give you an honest and straight portrail of this pre-amp as i can understand the importance to audiophiles thinking of purchasing the pre-amp.The first thing that struck me about the arc unit is its hybrid sound,yes the valve sound does co exist with some solid state attributes,but it is always neither one or the other.This sonic personality will win fans over if low colouration and detail is the order of the day,after owning a 14 valve pre amp of astounding musicality the sp9 pre amp was good at seperation,bass tightness,and control but tries to recreate the wonderfull transparency of the vacuem tubes in a slightly mechanical way.One example would be to think of a squash ball rebounding in an average room,nice and controled-then imagine the room being five times bigger and having smoother walls and this would be the all valve unit,I.E,the transparency factor conveys the enjoyment of the source as apposed to the bare bones,every last detail in its place aproach.I think that this pre-amp would make a fine purchase for a first pre-amp as it side steps many shortcomings in most desighns,hours of no listner fatigue can be enjoyed and it is very close to the original source.Unlike the audiolab which i can only say"avoid at all costs"If i had never owned the all valve pre-amps i think i would be very happy with the arc unit,This is not to say they are better-the sp9 does hold some of this majick,only on a slightly smaller,controled way.

Similar Products Used:

Croft two box valve regulated(14) two box pre amp.
audiolab 8000c pre-amp.ARC sp-10.

I have SP9Mk2 connected to ARC Classic 30 and Proac Tablette 50 II speakers. My front ends are NAD5000 CD, Ultrajitterbug andAssemblage DAC2. I have few others tube preamp before using SP9 MK2. I paid US$800 for SP9Mk2 (used one). I found out that
SP9Mk2 has very natural soud and better sound stage than the one I used before. Its phono stage is excellent. I would suggest
that if you have it and replace the tubes with Telefunken 6DJ8. You will find very smooth mid range and trebles and the most
important thing is that this classic preamp will put you into the palpable music.

I just sold an SP9, after owning it for 3 years or so. I used the Sovtek 6922 tubes with it. I was very impressed for a while, but then this year my system underwent some other changes, mainly to improve my digital front end, such as the purchase of an AA DTI to reduce jitter, and then the audition of the Mod Squad passive line drive (keeping my Bryston 3B in the chain). When comparing the Mod Squad and ARC Sp9 I realized that the SP9 was now giving the system too much detail over all. With the SP9 detail was sounding etched while not improving dynamic contrasts much. The Bryston and Mod Squad were giving more than enough detail and dynamics especially when I introduced Transparent Plus cables. These cables lower the noise floor and give the impression of greater dynamics contrasts (whether the contrasts are *REALLY* greater or not is irrelevant-- everything is an "impression" anyway). True, the SP9 did give a nice tubey glow. I didn't listen to the phono stage much, I can't comment. So I guess without having tried to partneer the SP9 with every possible amp and set of cables, or tried every brand of tubes, I'm restricted to concluding that SP9 was not the best (meaning not the most natural or most transparent) in my system, but others who take the time for experimenting may get much better results.

Um...you can resell usually for a good price.

muddy (lacks definition). overpriced

I bought this sp9 as an MKIII. when i called audio research they had no record of this coming in for an upgrade and said it started out as an MKII. the sticker on the back read 'mkIII' but there was an upgrade kit audio research sold so it seemed like it was in fact an mkIII just not upgraded by the factory. however, this piece was missing the extra circuit board that the inputs connect to (which was part of the upgrade). it did have the upgraded caps, however. so who knows what the hell this thing was. perhaps an mkII 1/2?? whatever it was i bought it locally from a private party, set it up, turned it on, turned it off, and posted it for immediate resale. hated it. it wasn't as clear as the morrison (which i still had when the sp9 was sitting here so i did an a/b comparison. like i said, the morrison was more clear but with less bass. however the arc bass was just sloppy and i didn't like it at all. it sounded like a rug was thrown over my speakers. then i tested it with the space-tech and the space tech blew its doors off. but it also blew the doors off of the morrison as well, hands down. this is a $300 preamp handmade by a guy up in vancouver. anyway, the sp9 was dead last in this test and so i wanted it gone. sometimes people will pay big money for an sp9 mkIII on ebay but it's rare. usually they go for $900-$1000 as of 4/01. i paid too much for my mkIII and when i found out it was an mkII that was even worse since these go for $800 tops in the used market. live and learn.

finally i sold it with a full accounting of the info i had found out about the piece. phew!!
now i have this space-tech and really like it. it only has one set of inputs however. i guess i could get a switcher but worry that it will degrade the sound. i guess i need to try. anyway, it's a fantastic preamp for the money. when i removed the sp9 mk?? from my system and hooked up the space-tech and it was like the rug was lifted off my speakers.

the rest of my system isn't this thrifty but the space tech keeps up:

audio research vt100 mkII
acoustat speakers model 3s
sony 777es super cd audio player
oracle delphi mkI turntable with glider cart
space-tech QA-001 preamp
mit terminator 2 speaker cable
home made interconnects (rca)

Similar Products Used:

Audio research sp7 (solid state)
morrison elad preamp (solid state)
space-tech QA-001 preamp (tube)

Musical, sound stage width/height,

Low level definition

This is a decent preamp to add that tube sound to a sub $2500 s/s amp or compliment a modest tube amp. It's on the very warm side of reality and works well with a lean sounding system. Detail and dynamics are tolerable to good until the signal falls into the micro range where things become a bit muddled. I've tried several brands of tubes in an effort to correct this with good results. Unfortunately the side effect has always been a loss of warmth - something I'm musically addicted to. Oh, well. Overall it throws a nice soundstage with everything in its place and nothing popping out at you when it shouldn't. The center image is somewhat forward, in the room, but in no way bright sounding. Fairly quick, the music pops right along and never drags. The phono section has lots of gain, low noise and good sound. All-in-all a good package for a modest system whose owner wants a musical experience, not harsh reality (transparency). I'm keeping mine. Having said that, here's a tip for you prospective owners. I also have the MarkIII version and it makes the MKII look bad, REAL BAD. They're rare but if you can find one they're definitely worth the extra bucks. Focus, detail, air, dynamics, imaging, noise - virtually everything - are a class or two above. And still musical at that!

Similar Products Used:

SP-9 MKIII

Crystal clear sound, wide and deep soundstage, pinpoint imaging

None at the moment

I had this combination: Dynaco PAS 3 preamp/DH 200 amp/Sonus Faber Concerto Home speakers for 4-5 months before I let go of the Dynaco in favor of Audio Research SP 9 MkII being sold by another enthusiast. The Dynaco PAS 3 MkII was a good preamp and mated well with the old 100 watts/channel Hafler amp, however I felt an upgrade on preamp/amp would maximize the Sonus Faber's performance. So I bought this Audio Research preamp thinking that it would work well with the tube sounding solid stake Hafler amp.

I made a right decision because I am happier now with the Audio Research/Hafler/Sonus Faber combo since there has been a tremendous improvement in detail, soundstage and imaging. My Sonus Fabers have started sounding as if the poweramp has already been upgraded. This Audio Research gear has just helped reveal what both Sonus Faber and the Hafler can do - create a musical picture that is vivid, natural and easy on the senses. At this price level, the SP 9 MkII (and the whole combo) is hard to beat. My planned amp upgrade to a Muse, Aragon, Bryston or Rotel may take a backseat for long.

Similar Products Used:

NAD 1020, Dynaco PAS 3 MkII