2. amps-preamps
  3. 1105718947

ARC users please

I have been trying many different budget preamps just for the fun of it. I have stumbled upon a Audio Research SP7.
This thing sounds amazing. Any preamp under $1000.00 that I put in my system doesn't come close to the sound of the SP7.
Everything else I try sounds like it is in mono compared to the SP7. I don't know how to describe the difference. The sound is more alive and every instrument is in place.
My question, is this a signiture ARC sound ?
I have read good and bad reviews of the LS3. So I am not sure if I need to look for a certain model to upgrade to, but still keep that synergy in my system that I have now.
Thanks, Scott
scottht
scottht OP
398 posts
 
I had the Rogue 99 Magnum for a while. I didn't like it really. The sonics weren't too bad. Not what I was looking for. But, I just didn't like the 99 much at all.
scottht OP
398 posts
 
How about Classe"
statman's avatar
statman
285 posts
 
I owned the SP-5 had it modified to an SP-7. It was as they others have said not the same sounding as the SP-8 which my best friend had and we constantly compared. I then tried the SP-9 for awhile(okay 3 weeks) and traded up to the SP-14, which I really liked when I was usung a phono stage!

I'm now using an LS 25 MkII which I've really been happy with.IMHO the older designs are more"romantic" sounding but in all honesty to me they did need to be upgraded in some way to be great across the whole frequency range. Usually excelled in the Midrange and upper midrange but did not have the tight fast low end and extended highs that the newer units have. But then again they aren't perfect either;)
scottht OP
398 posts
 
Okay, that is my point. SP-5,7,8,9 and 14 and then a 25.
How do you keep track of the good ones from the bad ones?
s23chang
620 posts
 
Most of the "Even" numbers are better than "Odd" ones.
: )
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