I agree with Hifigeek1. I have been using SP-11MK2 for a few years now. I bought it here from the original owner, who re-tubed it about 10 years ago. I thought it sounded great.
Then, about a year ago, I started hearing the signs of a frying resistor in one channel. I took it in to the shop where they fixed the issue, replaced a few other things that were drifting out of spec, and replaced all the old power caps.
I then retubed it with the new Genelics that just came out recently. Holy cow! What a difference! I should also note that the repairman was amazed at how quiet the phono stage was.
Will it compete with a new $20K preamp? Probably not. However, I've had notable HiFi shop owners talk me out of replacing it with something that was $8K. He also mentioned that it would be a waste of money to spend $2500 on a stand alone phono stage. (I found a great dealer ;-)
Anyway, just my 2 cents. I'm sticking with the Sp-11 now that it's been rebuilt a bit.
Then, about a year ago, I started hearing the signs of a frying resistor in one channel. I took it in to the shop where they fixed the issue, replaced a few other things that were drifting out of spec, and replaced all the old power caps.
I then retubed it with the new Genelics that just came out recently. Holy cow! What a difference! I should also note that the repairman was amazed at how quiet the phono stage was.
Will it compete with a new $20K preamp? Probably not. However, I've had notable HiFi shop owners talk me out of replacing it with something that was $8K. He also mentioned that it would be a waste of money to spend $2500 on a stand alone phono stage. (I found a great dealer ;-)
Anyway, just my 2 cents. I'm sticking with the Sp-11 now that it's been rebuilt a bit.