Audio Research SP17


Fellow Gear Fans,

I have the opportunity to purchase an SP17 in very good condition, gone over on a bench, for around $1,700.  I'd appreciate any comments, pros or cons.  I have two Pass Camp Amps that I can run as Monoblocks with it, if that would be a good match.  Other suggestions welcome.  Speakers I can use are Klipsch Forte II's with Crites upgrades or Heresy's -- both sets of speakers are from 1985 and 1987.  I also have Polk Audio 10B's from 1988.  Phono Preamp is KC Vibe, and turntable choices are Dual CS-5000, Rega P8, or Linn Sondek LP12.  Thanks!

allenf1963

It is an excellent preamp! I'd prefer to pay a bit less for it though. Say, $1500.

The SP17 would be an excellent choice. The preamp came with an option for a phono stage. Did it have one? 
 

I used a ARC preamps with Pass amps for at least a couple decades. Now all ARC equipment for me.

@skucie -- Here are the tech specs from the Pass Camp Amps.  I believe your answer is 10 kohm.

 

Frequency response 10 - 20 kHz +/- 0.1 dB
Power (stereo) 8W into 8 Ohms per channel
Power (monoblock) 15W into 8 Ohms per channel. See ACA operation modes for details on monoblock operation.
Power Measurement Measured at clipping with 3% distortion
Distortion 0.7% at 1 Watt (primarily second order harmonic which being even-order is described as "sweet, tubey" and being low-order as "benign/inaudible")
Input impedance 10 Kohm
Max Gain 14dB
Damping factor 10
Output noise 100 uV
Power supply input Universal 86-264VAC 47-63HZ
Power supply output 24V 5A
Heat dissipation 20 Watts per Channel

@jasonbourne52 -- Yeah, I would like to get it for a little less.  However, it is not a private sale, it's being sold by a friend who owns a High-End audio store (reps Vinnie Rossi, SME, Dynaudio, KEF, Octave, Dr. Fieckert, Naim, etc.), so I know he has high overhead costs.  He did spend the money having it completely cleaned and gone over on a test bench, and it comes with the original box and functional remote.  I'm a softie with friends, LOL.  In his defense, he has cut me some good deals in the past -- and he always drives me to concerts within an hour and half radius so I can get "music prepared" and have a designated driver.  THAT'S worth an extra $200!