Modern "Vintage" Sounding Preamps

If you don't mind my asking, why the 20 year cutoff date?

I have an ARC SP11 mk2 (1987) that sounds lovely and will likely keep sounding so for decades to come. Prior to that was an SP3-A1 from 1975 that many will agree still sounds wonderful and can be easily refreshed with new caps and tubes.

My point, is why buy a new preamp/design when you're looking for older sound?

That'd be like buying a modern car then retrofitting it with a hand crankstarter and narrow wheels for a 'vintage experience'. :)

Don't write off vintage equipment...

Happy listening.

@musicfan2349

     Just my take:

     Though my response was how to obtain the sound signature in general; the OP already owns a CJ PF-1, loaded with wire-wound resistors and metalized plastic film capacitors, as is your SP11 (NOT a, "vintage" (though an excellent), piece of equipment).

     The presentation they’re looking for can easily be attained; through a few simple, internal mods, or possibly: valve changes.

                              No further equipment purchase necessary.

     I agree: there are numerous older components, well worthy of resurrection and updating.    I've done a lot of that, over the decades, though typically: to obtain less coloration.

                             Again: up the to owner/customer's tastes.

"My point, is why buy a new preamp/design when you’re looking for older sound?"

@rodman99999 The OP has come here asking for opinions. Yes, of course it's up to his tastes however, my questions were meant to have him consider what his motivations are, not to question that he is motivated to search for something.

With regards to the SP11 not being 'vintage', 35 years is a pretty good stretch of time. What do you consider vintage? What do others consider vintage? My understanding is 20 years or greater when it comes to stereo gear but I'll happily recalibrate if that's not the accepted norm.

Happy listening...

@musicfan2349 -

     Thought I was being pretty clear, but: the SP-11's signal path contains metalized, plastic film caps and wire-wound resistors, which (in my opinion) aren't, "vintage" parts.    It does have some older-tech components, in the mix, which (to me) does put it on the cusp of vintage/modern.

      No doubt: that pre could be warmed up quite a bit, with the right valves.  

      Basically, to me: the old Black Cat, paper/Mylar caps and Carbon comp resistors, in the signal path, were (largely) what gave the older gear (circa 60s/early 70s) the, "vintage" sound, some love so much. 

      The older ARC pieces had Black Cats, in their power supplies, which may have warmed them up, somewhat.

       I owned both SP-9 and SP-14 pres, which I greatly enjoyed.    Neither of which sounded like ARC's very early iterations.   Especially with the early 60's, grey shield, Siemens CCa in play (my 6DJ8 variant of choice).

        Still: from ARC's inception, the goal was to resurrect/reintroduce tube circuitry (transistors being the rage, then), with a cleaner presentation, than what was available with older tubed circuits (as I recall).

      Don't know how ancient you are, but; being 75 years old: I suppose my views are somewhat different than later generations, far as, "vintage".

                                 Like I said, "Just MY take:"

              It's not my agenda, to change anyone else's opinions!

                                      Happy listening!

@greg7 A number of very good comments about parts and upgrade opportunities with the SP-11 and other AR & CJ preamps. If you decide to go that route, you may want to consider upgrades by Backert  Labs. They evolved from a predecessor company RHB Sound Designz that grew a wide following by doing upgrades to CJ and Audio Research gear. They're in Pennsylvania, USA. Cheers,

Spencer