Which ARC? - SP8, SP9 or SP11

The SP9 MKII is the best

I have owned sp8 sp9mk11 and sp11.I would say the 8 and 11 are similar with the 11 having much better slam. the sp9mk2 is more lean and closer to a solid state sound in my opinion. I had no problem at all with any 1 unit.My choice would be the sp11 mark 2 if you can get on that has been serviced(factory)recently.Probaby cost 2 grand for a perfect used peice. Just imaagin what this piece would cost in todays market! Hope this helped

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.