Review: Audio Research SP-6b Tube preamp


Category: Preamps

I purchased an ARC SP-6B 3 months ago to
replace my Quad 33 preamp. I'd always wanted
to try a tube preamp and this one is a great
start. It is similar in age to the solid-state Quad,
but the sound is much nicer. The sound is warmer
and the phono sound is better. The phono gain
is also quite large, allowing me to use my MC
cartridge directly. I still prefer to use my
separate Sota head amp to improve impedance matching
both to the MC and the SP6 phono input.

One problem with the SP6 (and amps of that vintage)
is their large gain - way too much for current CD
devices. One can hardly adjust the gain past 9 o'clock
and the volume is too high. With the stepped
incremental gain control on the SP6, 2 clicks can
be too little and 3 clicks too much volume.
There ain't no 2 and a half on the SP6!
And signal/noise is better at a 12 o'clock
setting, or so. To solve this problem.....

I also use a Creek OBH-12 passive preamp and
it gives a super clean sound. But the warmth
of the SP-6B beats the OBH-12. I use them together
now, to get the convenience of the remote volume
of the Creek. It also allows me to adjust the
gain of the SP6 midway (12 o'clock) improving it's
signal/noise ratio compared to a 9 o'clock setting.
I can then use the Creek to adjust the volume.
I put the Creek in the tape loop of the SP6
which sounds much better that with the Creek
between the SP6 and the power amp.

The unit I purchased
needed to have some of the nuts holding down the
RCA input plugs tightened (due to age and use
I'm sure). The previous owner said it had
been re-tubed, but two of the tubes looked shot.
It uses 6 12AX7's and I replaced the lot.
This removed some annoying sound dropouts and
reduced the tube rush somewhat. If you get one of
these, expect to have to do a bit of work on it.

I listen mostly to classical and jazz. I typically
use Chanticleer, Count Basie, Diane Krall,
and Stravinksy's Firebird for test setup.
For finer tuning, I'll try some piano
(I like Krystian Zimmerman playing Chopin,
Paul Jacobs playing Debussy on those GREAT
old Nonesuch LPs). I listen for clarity
and good separation of instruments in large
ensembles. For vocals, if I can feel the
emotion (conveyed in suble breathings, subtle
dynamic changes) I know the setup is a winner.
I love the drum solo on Diane Krall's Stepping Out
CD, "Devil and the Deep Blue Sea."

Strengths of the SP6: nice tube sound, lots of gain,
good phono section, solid build.

Weaknesses: too much gain for CDs and other modern
input devices, may need retubing and/or cap
replacement due to age. It takes 2-5 minutes
of warmup before the SP6B is useable, due to the
auto-muting circuits.

I enjoy the SP6 and it's a great deal (mine was $500).
I think all the older ARC tube preamps are worth
trying. I'm still going to try newer tube preamps,
looking for less tube rush and queiter background.
Yes, money is an object and for the price the
SP6 can't be beat.

Associated gear
ARC Classic 30
Creek OBH-12
tjbearman
The 6B is a very fine vintage preamp I bought mine used ten years ago for $800.00 and still have it. You may have to re-tube occassionally but thats the fun of owning one of these beauties. About five years ago I wanted to see how the newer ARC preamps sounded and compared it to an SP9. My old preamp in my opinion stood right up there and sounded as good if not better. Worth owning and a steal at two hundred less in todays market.
Glad you are enjoying this nice old preamp. I too love ARC's from the SP10 back in time. I believe the gain reduction built into the SP6 effects a reduction in gain from the source - it does not actually effect the gain of the line stage out to the amp. I agree with you about the Creek between the amp & the preamp, and thats too bad, because when you have attenuation between the amp and the preamp you really lower the noise floor a lot. You might consider putting in some in line attenuators at the amp - good ones are fairly transparent. EVS used to make them, others still do. The Creek in the tape loop is a good place for it. By they way, I don't think the problem is so much the gain of the pre amp as much as the input sensitivity of the amp and the speakers. When I use an amp w/1.5 input sensitivity and speakers with an 86dba effiency my volume control is usually between 11 and 1 o'clock. All part of the matching process.
I had the SP6b for a long time now.I had been using
a Acurus DIA 100,when I decided to use the SP6b again.
I think it is very important to match the SP6 with a
Audio Research amp.I bought a D52b amp used,and it simply
sounds wonderful.Very smooth,extremly detailed,not overly
bright.I agree the volume knob is sensitive.I see why
audio experts have called this one of the finest pre-amps
ever made,it sounds very well rounded.Not too much top
end and good bottom.I am using a newly aquired pair of
Canton Ergo 32dc monitors and a Mirage 8" subwoofer.
The SP6 loves the matching Audio Research amp,and the Sp6
and the D52 together,really make the Canton's sing.The
music is so lifelike.And I am using a terrible 90.00
Sony DVD player,which is not the best source in the world.
I have a Technics DVD-A10 on the way,and I cannot wait
to see how the system sounds with a good CD/DVD player.
I highly recommend the SP6!