I owned a modified SP-6A for 10 years before selling it. It had leaky eletrolytics and ARC wanted 800.00 to fix it! I currently have an SP-8 revision 3 (yellow capacitors) It is in my opinion much better than the 6, richer, better detail, better bass. I am familiar with the SP-9 original not the latest. I am not fond of this piece. I did listen extensively to the SP-11 years ago and found it had a very deep and detailed soundstage. But if you want the best of ARC you have to go with the SP-10 Mk2 (I am currently looking for this piece) Great phono stage and probably the most musical pre-amp I have ever heard. I guess I am going to buck up and pay the used market price for this unit. You can't find them on the cheap.