The SP series are full function pre-amps manufactured by Audio Research from the 1970's through the late 1980's. They all have a phono stage. The LS series are line stage only pre-amps from the early 1990's to the present. If you have a turntable and vinyl is an important part of your listening pleasure, you may be interested in an SP series pre-amp. I have owned both the SP-6 and SP-8 which I presently use. They are very well made units and are probably one of the best values in a full function pre-amp on the used market from a price performance standpoint. They may not have the ultimate neutrality and transparency of the newer pre-amps but you really won't care once you hear what they do with the music. I recently was on a quest to locate a SP-10 MK2, one of the most musical tube pre-amps ever made and still highly sought after. I received a call from a gentleman who was interested in selling his because he was finally upgrading. He called me back a few days before I was going to go look at the unit. He told me that after listening to his new pre-amp over the past 2 weeks (a really expensive well known unit)he decided to stick with the SP-10 Mk2 because he just couldn't part with the wonderful phono stage of this unit. This gentleman has a system well over 100K including Infinity IRS 5 speakers. If you don't play vinyl the LS may be for you. The LS-15 is a very good line stage pre-amp that you can find at a reasonable price, 1.4K-1.5K. Good Luck
Audio Research LS vs SP?
I am looking into used Audio Research. My budget is $2000 for both power and pre. I am kind of confused about the preamp models. What are the differences between LS and SP? I am assuming the higher number is better than lower one. Am I right? Finally what combination do you recommend? Thanks. Dan
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