SS Pre-amps that can beat an Audio Research sp16

I really don't like to see people get rid of equipment they like. In your case, though, you seem to really know what you want.

"I am looking mainly for detail, wide bandwidth, tonal neutrality, soundstage and imaging."

For something not too expensive, I can't think of anything better than an Ayre K-5. Your above quote is exactly what it sounds like. With the Ayre, you won't miss your ARC at all. (Just to be clear, I'm comparing the Ayre to the SP-16, and nothing else. I'm not saying its better than all ARC preamps, just the one that the OP has. Also, my comments are just my opinion, and are not meant to be taken as fact.)

Zd,

Thanks for that suggestion. I always read good things about Ayre but don't think I have ever heard.

The ARC probably would not go anywhere too soon. Whenever I upgrade or change something in my main system, it usually frees up something good to now try in my other system.

I have been using a 30 year old NAD 7020 receiver that is usually my spare as pre-amp only in my other system now for several months with very good results, but I'm sure the Arc would be a nice upgrade to that. The ARC is a really great piece that will not be easy to replace I think and I hate to part with those ever.

Personally, I don't think I could ever go back to a SS preamp, I know, I've tried. Probably the best I ever heard was a Threshold T2, which I liked better than others I had owned from the usual suspects (Krell, ML, JRDG, Ayre, Classe, etc.). However, I still have owned several tube preamps that I preferred over the T2.

That said, if I were to try another SS preamp that I would hope to satisfy me, it would be a Klyne. I say that because a Klyne 7PX5.0 was the best phono preamp that I have ever owned, and yes, I did prefer it over several tubed phono preamps that I have owned.

Jm,

Not absolutely sure yet that I can either, but having sampled the tube pre-amp waters now for a few years, I will be in a much better position to decide.

I'm largely just testing the waters....not needing to change at all really, but interested to know what the other possibilities might be.

I have heard some Krell integrateds in recent years that did a lot of what I am looking for very well and that is another option I forgot to mention that I have considered. Krell pre-amp that is , not integrated.

Not certain but I think frequency bandwidth is the main thing that a good SS pre-amp might be able to best the ARC in. THat an dnoise levels, but noise levels have not been a big issue with the ARC either, though I have had to replace tubes a couple time over the years to keep things that way, espeically the #1 tube in the phono stage.

I do not use the phono stage that much these days yet the 3 pho stage tubes are in play whenever I use the ARC, shortening their life.

At this stage, I'm just thinking that I might be better served over the long term by a good SS pre-amp with no phono and adding a separate phono stage (maybe tube) that is only on when I use it.

Bel Canto seems like a logical choice to do what I want and also to match to the amps well being from same company.

Newer Benchmark interests me as well as a potential giant killer. I'd really like to try that.

IF I went with a pre/DAC combo, that would probably free up one of my two current mhdt DACS as well, either the SS Constantine that I prefer overall or the tube based Paradisea which is also a very good performer with the right tube in it. I might sell one of those to help finance the deal.

The NAD is one of those devices just too versatile to ever get rid off. I'd keep that as a spare again for sure if a new pre-amp were to find its way into my house. I picked it up in a pawn shop on the cheap 25 years ago and it has managed to stick around ever since as a bench player/substitute amp/tuner/pre-amp that I can always call on if needed.