AR SP-5 or Threshold Sl-10

The SP5 twas never state of the art. It was a "good" preamp. The SP6: now that was a preamp. I believe the SP5 was ARs first attempt at ss. I believe they had a different name for it back then. Something like "analog modules." Not sure, buy that rings a very distant bell. You can do better than this pre, if you're contemplating spending $350.

I owned an SP5 along with a D52B, purchased both new in 1979. The SP5, along with the SP4 were both SS with "Analog Modules" supposedly providing a "tube" like sound. The SP5 was very durable, but sonically okay, nothing to write home about. I should have gotten the SP6, but bad choices are as easy to make as good ones. You can do much better than an SP5.

Thanks for the great feedback guys. Does the Threshold for around $500 seem like a good deal? Too bad about the SP5, but its what I figured based on the lack of reviews I could find about it (not to mention its $600 price new).

Could you tell me anything about the sound character of the Theshold SL-10? Warm, cool, revealing, airy, presence, bottom end, etc? Thanks again.

Has anyone had any experiene with the sp4, which I'm pretty sure was the first solid state ar ?

My AR SP5 has developed a harsh leading edge to piano notes.