I have owned an ARC SP10Mk2 for many years. It's wonderful, but it could use a bit more clarity. I've thought about upgrading the internal parts, but I would hate to destroy the original voicing, and also the resale value. I know Great Northern Sound Company can do extensive mods, but for the price, I could buy something state of the art used! Do you guys have any suggestions? Thanks. |
Tubegroover: I would not doubt it; my JP80 is a pretty old design as well, and I'm not selling it soon (I heard somewhere it was similar in circuitry to the ARC SP6, but with a much better power supply and point-to-point wiring). A friend of mine redid his SP-10 with silver wiring and had a great-sounding pre (don't know if he still has it). Not a bad product to buy used and try a few upgrades on. |
Reprince is right. So far as the differences between the SP-10 and SP-11, certainly the 10 euphonized the sound more than the 11 which was more transparent and probably closer to neutral across the board (hybrid). The 10 with all tube power supply has the ability to make more music sound live without any loss of musical information, an ever lovin bloomer. It just pulls you into the music, you really don't care if it's ultimately accurate or not. Interestingly enough I have just done an extended listen with the 10 Mk2 in my system and with an upgrade in caps, wires and resistors it just might hold its own against the top tube pre-amps out there. |
I agree with Sedond, this is silly. Due to system surenergy. Why this is so, you ask or don't ask. But the Bat 3i sounds great in my system, but for some unknown reason the Bat 50se doesn't. |
cj.art mk2-vac renaissance sig-mfa-sp10mk2- |
There are many who prefer the SP-10 (which I recall is a two-chasis unit) to the SP-11 in their MkII versions. The SP-11 was more neutral and had better deep bass, but certainly lacked the tube bloom and dimensionality of the SP-10. I had an SP-11 for 4 years, it was the first high-end preamp I'd owned. Back then, I was slowly being weaned from solid state to tubes, so I probably would not have appreciated the SP-10 as much as I do now. A classic case of tube vs. (hybrid) solid state preferences, I guess; your taste would decide which was "better". From the prices of used 10s and 11s, I'd say they're both held in high esteem by audiophiles. The SP-9 was ARC's attempt to make a budget SP-11 hybrid, and in its MkI version had mixed reviews; it certainly did not have a tubed preamp sound. I can say that the SP-15, which was the SP-11's replacement and had half as many tubes as the SP-11, never seemed to have the critical or popular success of either the 10 or 11. By the time it came out, I was growing enough in my appreciation of tubed equipment to prefer my SP-11 and resist upgrade fever. Had I been into the high end earlier and owned an SP-10, I probably would have resisted the urge to get an SP-11 as well. |
Do most of you agree that the SP-10 is better than an SP-11? Is it a one or two chassis unit? I had an SP-9 MK I (?) which was just fine but didn't exactly make me weak at the knees. |
I also nominate the Joule Electra LA100MKIII, but realize without a phono stage it's not everyone's cup of tea. 2nd best w/phono would be ARC SP-9MKIII. |
JOULE ELECTRA LA100mk3 or LA200mk3 and CJ16LS.truly musical instruments. |
you haven't heard real music until you have heard it through a Thor TA-1000 linestage tube pre-amp. this is the best next thing than the real live performance. I've tried different ones thru the years ,but this one is a keeper |
this is kinda silly, really - who has compared even more than a *handful* of all these preamps? and, they will perform differently in in different systems. that said, i will totally ignore it, & cast my wote for the melos music director - simply an amazing unit! ;~) doug |
I really like the Encore DL 2010.2, has everything at a very reasonable price, great phono stage. Not very well known, but has done well in Stereophile shows. Worth checking out. |
CJ PV10 huge bang for the buck - even better is the Premier 17LS. |
Essence Audio Jasper: These hand made 50# behemoths are utterly neutral, wonderfully musical and best of all, do not fail with years of listening. At $10000 new they are a bit pricey but can be had on the used market for a fraction of the new price. If you love tubes and demand reliability, this is the one. |
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Jadis JP80mc, my favorite for years. A classical lover's heaven! Also the Aesthetix IO (haven't listened to the matching line stage, but if it's anywhere near as good, it should be included). The ARC SP-10 Mk II is also a classic. In the less expensive stuff, the Audible Illusions 3A. Everything else mentioned is also worthy-there's no shortage of fine tube preamps. |
Audio Research Reference one, replaced my SP11 Mk II which I loved for years |
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I agree the CJ PV-9a is the best non Premier preamp they ever made. Phono stage is incredible. The ART is the top of the list. |
I would think that the CAT SL-1 (any model) would have to be in just about anyone's top ten. The CAT just eclipses everything else I have heard, especially if you do your own tube rolling to match the rest of your system. Yes Avguygeorge, I will stand up and be counted. Bass extension, midrange presence, soundstage, dynamics, transparency, smoothness. I just don't see how it can get much better than this. But, my mind is still open and while I haven't heard everything mentioned in this thread, IMO, some of the suggestions just don't compare. I understand listening evaluations are subjective, so don't get mad at me guys. |
Conrad Johnson Premier 3.. |
Where are you CAT owners? This is a popularity contest;your vote counts;stand up and be counted.Pay no mind that it is THEE BEST,under 6 grand. |
BAT VK50SE for sure. Honorable mention: ARC SP11 w/Amperex 7308's. |
I "voted" for Marantz 9 (or 8b) amp, i'll vote for Marantz 7 pre-amp! |
Sonic Frontier Line 3 with micro-matched tubes. Canary CA 801. |
I agree with Dekay on the Audible Illusions 3A. I have had mine for about 5 years and have no desire to replace it. I play a lot of LP's and I love it's phono stage. |
Audible Illusions 3A or if you prefer less warmth the L1. A friend has a Marantz 7C that he claims is tops. It has had the usual maintenance plus a rebuilt (rewound) power transformer and also the addition of a custom designed volume pot that maintains the soundstage and detail as the volume drops. My personal favorite is the L1. I withdraw the Pas3x in favor of these. |
VTL TL 5.5 soooooo sweeeeeet. Full body and great soundstage. A must see before buying anything else. It blows away pre amps twice the price. |
I have to go along with the SP10 MKII but my new favorite is the Atma-Sphere MP-1 MKII. |
Hi, The Bat VK50se! What a wonderful piece, just stunning in its musicality. |
A Dynaco Pas3x only when used in conjunction with Nepalese Temple Ball. |
conrad-johnson pv9a real sleeper. also now using a cj pv11 |
I second the ARC SP-10 mk2 and would like to add the Jadis JP-80mc. |
I have owned several...but only one that I would say has a place on a top ten list,..the Conrad Johnson ART. |
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Audio Research SP-10 Mk2 especially phono stage |
