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Audio Research SP9 MKII

Hello
Found two ARC SP9's for sale.  The first is the MKII with 6h23p-eb Russian 6922 tubes
the second was a SP9 that was sent back to ARC and upgraded to the MKII, it has 2-6922 Sovtek Tubes installed .

Question,  given they are both about the same price should which one would be the best one to purchase?
torchlake99
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,987 posts
 
This is strictly personal taste, but I’ve owned all three versions and my favorite is the MKII. If you want remote, the MKIII was the only way to get it as an option.
torchlake99 OP
26 posts
 
Thanks folks, I am going to get the MKII and run it for some time then decide if it is worth sending in for the III upgrade.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,987 posts
 
I don’t think that ARC does the MKIII upgrade any longer to that unit. Actually I think it’s been quite awhile since they’ve done any upgrades to the SP9 series. They will, of course, still work on them, but not upgrade them.

I could be wrong...
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,610 posts
 
.
The SP9 MK2 was my first ARC preamp and didn't like it.  

I've had 5 ARC preamps since then and I have loved every one of them!
.
torchlake99 OP
26 posts
 
what was the favorite and what was it about the 9 MKII that did not hit the mark?
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