Is Audio Research SP-6 considered a good model?

i also think you might be impressed by the new cyrus 8 integrated....and the new creek 5350 (both compete and control well beyond their retails) .....well within your price range, and both 'a bit' livelier that the darker plinius character. comparing may help you sort this out before commiting....the forests are great, and your exposure player is also a giant killer.

i still use it in its original state together with wadia 581 ml 431 , i currently drive the power direct , but the sp 6 can add still some nice tuberealism very very good value www.andromeda-design.nl

The ARC 6 was good! The 6-A was better!! The 6-B was one of the best per-amps ARC made. This was right before the SP-10. After the 6-B ARC came out with the 6-C, 6-E and from then is went down to just good. The "white" sound came into the picture and the flesh and bones of the orchestra and musicians started to fade. The SP-8 is also a better model then the 6-C, 6-E.

Rick (RWD)

I agree the SP-8 is definitely a good model, especially at the used price, an improvement over the SP-6. I have owned both. The SP-10 Mk2 is even better. To tell you the truth, I still love the sound of this pre-amp even compared to new models and would trade my Supratek Syrah for one in a heartbeat, love that phono stage! I have a friend who owns one and no it doesn't have the detail or extension of other pre-amps but it really draws you into the music so you can just forget about the sound. The SP-8 also does this but doesn't quite match the immediacy, depth or bass weight presented by the SP-10.

It is easy to see why there is still interest in these models.