ARC SP-11 MkII vs. ARC Ref. 1 & the winner is.....


I recently had the chance to do a direct comparison between the ARC SP-11 MkII and a ARC Ref.1 preamp. I tested the preamp in the same set-up, same vaccum tubes(6DJ8), same CD player and same speakers. At first I thought the ARC Ref. 1 will easily outperformed the "out-dated" ARC SP-11 MkII(1987). But to my surprise, the ARC SP-11 MkII outperformed the ARC Ref. 1 in every ways. For example in male and female vocal, the ARC SP-11 MkII were smooth, full and sounds like a real human vocal. In comparison, the Ref.1 sounds artifical, unnatural, harsh, less body and always sounds like reproduction signal. The SP-11 MkII also matching the Ref.1 in micro/macro dynamic, speed, sound-stage etc......
After 5 hrs. of carefull comparison, I packed the Ref. 1 in its original box, sealed and listed in Audiogon and I never look back...............
edle
The old SP11's are true remarkable preamps. They have gone out of fashion but that really doesn't matter. At one time, I owned a CAT Ultimate, a Jadis DPMC and the SP11 Mk II. I was able to compare them at my leisure. Overall, I thought the SP11 was the clear winner. The CAT I did not care for one bit. It sounded thin and pinched with absolutely zero tonal bloom even after several months of break in. The Jadis had tons of bloom but softened the leading edge of the attack to the point that it negated the urgency of the music. I will have the chance here shortly to compare the Ref Mk II and Ref Phono to the SP11. It should be interesting.

I have heard the SP10 in my system and thought it was wonderful through the phono section. However, to use a line level input, one has to take it out of by-pass mode which robs the transparency of the SP10 considerably. This is where I think most of the complaints are against the SP10 (along with being hard on the many tubes it uses). With a little work to simply the front panel clap trap, I think the SP10 could one of the best ever.
The SP-11 MK2 is a remarkable product. Especially if you upgrade the caps, install the tube rings and replace the Soveiet 6922's with Siemens 6DJ8/6922 tubes. It has a more "muscular" sound versus the SP-10 MK2's more "romantic" sound. The SP-10 has more of a traditional Conrad Johnson type sound.

Compared to the Ref 1, SP-11 is not as quiet and the resolution is not as good. However, the over-all sound is more pleasant and more dynamic than the Ref 1. Reference 2 MK2 is much better than the SP-11 in every area, even after modifications and NOS Siemens tubes.
I used to think I was just being sentimental, but I still think surprisingly little has improved in audio in nearly 20 years!?!? Hence, my "retro" system.

My SP-11 sounds great, looks great, feels great and I am listening happily to my system every day for the first time since about 1980.
OK, so it's a decade later than most of these comments, and I obtained a SP-11 MK II, upgraded the caps and wiring, a couple of other "tweaks", and installed a set of 6 circa 1968 German-made Telefunken (cryo treated) 6922 tubes. It is, in a word, beautiful.
I had a similar experience with an Agon seller A/B-ing his ARC Ref 3 against his SP-11 mki that he had listed for sale. On his system, the Ref 3 was marginally better, but it was so very close. I'm glad he sold me his SP-11. It's been a workhorse in my system for both analog & digital playback though I'm partial to my SP-10 for the phono stage. At least the 11 isn't as hard on tubes as the 10.