Buy an Audio Research SP10 MkII or an SP11 MkII ?

The SP10 Mark II is one of the truly great vintage preamps. While it might not hold up compared to the very best available today it is wonderful. The SP11 is not in the same league. I would buy it in a heartbeat if I were you. Good luck.

Wendell

For the sound you're describing, Wendell is correct, the SP-10 is what you want--it has a very good phono stage too. The 11 is a hybrid design, and sounds more neutral but definitely more like solid state than tubes. If you want to spend more, a Jadis JP80MC, particularly an earlier model, would also fill the bill (I assume you want a phono stage along with the line stage in your preamp).

My still-good friend and I were in the high-end-audio business in the early- to mid-'80s, and he knew LOTS more than I about these things. Here's what he said:

"If he’s looking for a preamp with a vacuum-tube signature, then the SP-10 is his best bet. That said, the actual sound quality’s very much tube-dependent and as I recall, they require replacement at fairly short intervals. (As an aside, the low-level tubes came from ARC with rubber damping rings installed, an idea that the SP-10’s designer, Jack whatever-his-name-is, “borrowed” from me after a long discussion we had about various methods to address the microphonic qualities of tubes when he called TJA late one afternoon to buy some capacitors because ARC’s usual supplier had run out…)."

Based on all comments so far, the SP-10 is definitely your best choice. Also, you may be in serious pursuit of NOS or premium current-production tubes if you buy one. Looking here http://www.arcdb.ws/SP10/SP10.html , the -10's fono section has SEVENTY-TWO dB of gain, plenty enough for that Rosewood Signature.
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I agree on the Jadis JP80MC. Without a doubt the finest tube preamp I have ever heard but a whole lot more money than the SP10. I would love to own one but it is more than I can afford.

Wendell