Audio Research SP9 MKII


Hello
Found two ARC SP9's for sale.  The first is the MKII with 6h23p-eb Russian 6922 tubes
the second was a SP9 that was sent back to ARC and upgraded to the MKII, it has 2-6922 Sovtek Tubes installed .

Question,  given they are both about the same price should which one would be the best one to purchase?
torchlake99
I've heard the SP-9 a number of times in a friends system. I owned the SP-14 for many years. If you can afford it, go with the SP-14. Its a much better sounding unit. I'll bet you can pick one up at a very reasonable price these days. I sold mine for $1000. years ago when I bought my new REF-3.  
Having owned both the SP-9 mkII & SP-14, I have to agree with oregonpapa.  Both were good performers, when equipped with the Siemens, early 60's, grey shield, CCa, but- the 14 did have better presentation than the 9.     I handed my 14 down to my son.   Whichever you settle on, install an IEC C14 connector(ie: http://www.partsconnexion.com/ac_furutech_plug_inlet.html) and upgrade the PC.  It's an easy project, given the aluminum chassis, and well worth the effort.
Buy the original MK.11 with the the russian tubes. If you have a good tech. get it upraded to Mk.111 spec. Then get him to put in dual volume pots, IEC socket for audiophile Power cable, beef up the Power supply 5 times put in russian milspec OTK tubes and you will have a killer pre.