Thank you Elizabeth obviously you understood my question.I know there is no contest between a reference audio research and a sp9,just wanted to get some input on the two units, its just going to be a trade between a couple of old audiophile buddies ,I,m not spending a cent or will I take a lost at all.He will just take it back if its not to my liking and sell to someone else with one phone call.I am sure it will sound fine I have great speaker cables power cords interconnect vintage 6922 tubes to try out to hear what works best.I do have a question about the faceplate it looks like a newer one compared to the 1st couples of years.The faceplate looks just like my ls3 accept with the added phono .Would you know which year that unit might have been made,it really does look like brand new mint out of the box.Thanks MAXWELL