Preamp for audio research ref110

Sell the SP-9 MK II.  You could get at least $800.

The Sp-9 MK II is from around 1990.

Buy a more modern preamp with balanced, or both single ended and balanced outputs.

I called ARC and they said RCA to XLR converters would not work, for the reasons almarg mentions, above.

Thank you all for the help. I think I will get an RCA to xlr converter until I get the real thing. Seems like these are available from pro-audio shops. 

Regarding the cart, I am using a simple shure m97xe

I think I will get an RCA to xlr converter until I get the real thing. Seems like these are available from pro-audio shops.

Given the previous comments by Docknow (thanks!) and myself, I assume you are referring to an active converter, i.e., one that contains powered circuitry. If so, a point to keep in mind is that like many and probably most ARC line stages and preamps the input impedance of the device to which the SP9 MkII is connected should be relatively high. From its description at www.arcdb.ws:

Recommended load 60K ohms and 100pF. (20K ohms minimum)

A lot of pro audio equipment will not meet that requirement, not even the 20K minimum.

A transformer-based converter, by the way, such as the Jensen I referred to earlier, will easily meet that requirement when used in conjunction with your particular power amp, and when used with many and probably most other amps as well.

Regards,
-- Al

While my aesthetics Callisto pre eclipse was in for service (7 months) I bought an LS16 modes by Steve Huntley of the great northern sound co.  It was the same price as a new ls17 that I was lusting over, but I took a chance.  I was amazed at how good a $2k used pre could sound compared to my $6k aesthetics.  I have had the aesthetics back for a month and haven't bothered to hook it up.  BTW just run RCA, balanced just gives more gain that people like because they get more volume.  But that comparison is for another posting.  Although, if you have grounding issues, balanced does help.  For 2k you could also try the Ayre K-5xeMP for around - solid state but dead silent.  Just my 2 cents, ymmv - happy listening.