2. amps-preamps
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Minimax or Audio Research SP 9 mk III ?


Budget is $600 for tube preamp. Looking to add some body and dynamics to the music.

Recently downsized from MWI 9.0 SE Signature and MWI 9100es.

System is Sony PSP 1, Red Wine 30.2 integrated and Vandersteen 2ce Signatures with Clear Day Silver Biwire speaker cables.

thanks

Ken
georgia2k
kublakhan
718 posts
 
I agree with Mitch (and most of the rest.) I had an sp II and hated it. Had it for about 4 days. Thin sounding junk. Buy anything but.

With your budget, also check out the space tech offerings.
georgia2k OP
27 posts
 


Sony PlayStation 1 model SCPH-1001
It has rca outs and I'm going direct to my Red Wine 30.2.
Do a search " playstation 6moons" to read articles on using this. Cost me $20 for one on craislist.
thorman
1,262 posts
 
I think one suggestion might be is try one of the older used Audio Research pre from before the sp9 models..The sp6,sp8 ( i have owned both ) models are much more lush and full ( and much better units in my mind )... They also have very good Phono stage built in...
q45
5 posts
 
The only ARC Pre I owned that was lush and tubey was the SP8. I kept it for many years. It seems like ARC worked hard to design the tube sound out of their preamps. The best thing about the MiniMax is you can experiment with different tubes until you get just the amount of "body" you want. Check out the various MiniMax tube rolling threads and reviews.
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