ARC preamp line up


Just getting into ARC preamps and while i was hesitant to jump on an SP5, I have to admit I am thrilled about the soundstage and detail. I thought I was going to have issues with it being too analytical or bright but turns out I really like the sound...to boot it has a phono for my LP12.

I also know that the Sp5 seems to have little or no praise and is probably one of the cheaper models, but having said that, it sounds so good to me.

So my question is, what is the next step up from this model in terms of solid state and if I go to the earlier models (read below $1K) with/without the single 6922 tube do I lose anything that I like with my SP5? From my research I guess i should only be looking at the SP series for phono or do some of the LS models come with phono?

thx for your input
vinylb

Showing 3 responses by djcxxx

I owned an SP5 for many years and it was okay but the Analog Module technology (shared w/ the SP4) was not a sonic high water mark for ARC. By comparison the SP6 (all tube) was a contemporary of the SP5/SP4 and an overall much better offering. If you want to go all tube around the $1K mark an SP6 would be a good choice and it can be upgraded substantially if you get an original 6 or 6A which would sell for less than the later 6B through C/D/E variants.
You should take a look at www.arcdb.ws This database will give you a chronologic history of both the preamps and line stages that ARC made through the Ref 5.