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Why is the Audio Research SP8 so highly regarded?

I have a MRk II SP8 that was modified by Steve Huntley when he was at Great Northern Sound. I don't use the phono section anymore as I have acquired a ARC PH7 so the SP8 is now simply used as a line stage preamp. Am considering replacing with something like a LS26 or Ref 1 { both are in my budget range} Interested from those who might have experience with the SP8 and can offer advice on how much sonically the newer ARC line stage models will improve overall presentation from both analog and digital sources?   
gm1
gm1's avatar
gm1 OP
2 posts
 
Just a little more context on my system. Currently running SP8 into an ARC VT100. My speakers are the JBL Classic 100 reissues. Sources are PS Audio Direct Stream DAC and PS audio transport. For analog I run the Dr Feickert Woodpecker with Soundsmith Zephyr cartridge and ARC PH7 phone stage.   
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,158 posts
 
OP I bet that is a fantastic sounding system :-) a Ref 3 would be awesome IMO
( I am biased w a REF5se )
tecknik
486 posts
 
I agree a ref 3 would be a good candidate to try in ur system.

roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
The SP series, starting with the SP6, was a high-water mark for William Zane Johnson and ARC back in the days of yore! I like that series more than what followed.
cleeds
6,064 posts
 
I had an SP-8 and then an SP-10 before getting an SP-11. I sold the SP-11 to a friend who still uses it and it still sounds great.

These are all fine preamplifiers. They come from the era when LP was the dominant source, so they all have excellent phono stages. In those days, the integrated phono stage got more attention than the line stage; the consequence was that these preamps simply don’t have the most neutral line stages. They can sound quite pleasant with digital sources, but they’re really not especially neutral.
As good as these units are - and the SP-11 is especially good - they can’t compete with today’s Ref series. It’s not even close.
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