Audio Research SP9 MKII

IMHO, it's always better to get the factory original version, whether it's a MKI or MKII or MKIII.  Upgraded/updated ones might not be "exactly" the same as the factory original.

BTW, I have a SP9MKII (factory original) and love it.  One of my favorite all-time preamps.  I know there are some on here that don't like it, but I've owned 8 or 9 different ones and find it to be an excellent performer.  I seem to always go back to this model for awhile.

Thanks!  Looking forward to bring it home.

One cool thing about the SP9 is the mode control ARC was still including in their pre-amps back then. I wish they still did; I have kept my LS1, the last ARC pre to include the control I believe (the LS2 doesn’t have it), for that very reason. When playing 60’s LP’s which were made with fake stereo simulation, or the early stereo LP’s with hard left-right panning (Beatles and Dylan, for instance), I send the output from one set of RCA jacks on my main pre to the LS-1, to which is connected my headphone amplifier. I can use the control to chose between stereo, stereo reverse, mono, left only, or right only, hearing the clear difference on headphones. It’s fun to listen to just harmony vocals and guitar overdubs on Beatles albums, without the full band. Or just Dylan’s guitar or harmonica, by themselves. One thing to be aware of is that the mode control is located after the tape out jacks in the amp’s circuit, so it’s effects are heard only through the main outputs.

Interesting, thanks!  I have a couple early Beatles and will try it.