Based on the two preamps you have chosen, go with the Audio Research. Hands down.
Sunfire Classic Tube Preamp or ARC SP14?
Hello! I'm planning on purchasing a tube preamp for my Dynaudio Air20 powered monitors. I've narrowed it down to a Sunfire Classic Tube pre and an Audio Research SP14.
I don't want to spend over $1,500 (give or take a few hundred). I'm looking for a extremely detailed sound that retains impulse response so I can hear fundamental notes. I am a drummer and a main objective of mine, other than just enjoying music, is to analyze drum sections of music.
I realize the first obvious choice would be to go solid state, but I do enjoy a bit of the warmth of tubes, not to mention a 3d soundstage that is large. I definitely want to stay away from the soft tube sound.
I've read great things about the Sunfire (great detail, huge soundstage, tight bass) but I realize its fully tube, whereas the SP14 is a hybrid. I'm thinking the fact that it's a hybrid may give me the immediacy and impulse response I'm looking for.
Has anyone had a chance to compare these two preamps?
There are many other choices out there but I'm wary of trying smaller companies because I don't have access to listening to many of them. I also would like to avoid getting into the extended buying/selling process in order to find something appropriate.
I don't want to spend over $1,500 (give or take a few hundred). I'm looking for a extremely detailed sound that retains impulse response so I can hear fundamental notes. I am a drummer and a main objective of mine, other than just enjoying music, is to analyze drum sections of music.
I realize the first obvious choice would be to go solid state, but I do enjoy a bit of the warmth of tubes, not to mention a 3d soundstage that is large. I definitely want to stay away from the soft tube sound.
I've read great things about the Sunfire (great detail, huge soundstage, tight bass) but I realize its fully tube, whereas the SP14 is a hybrid. I'm thinking the fact that it's a hybrid may give me the immediacy and impulse response I'm looking for.
Has anyone had a chance to compare these two preamps?
There are many other choices out there but I'm wary of trying smaller companies because I don't have access to listening to many of them. I also would like to avoid getting into the extended buying/selling process in order to find something appropriate.