audio research

The ARC SP8 is an all tube preamp (8 tubes total). The SP9 and SP14 were hybrids (2 tubes for SP9, 1 for SP14).

I have owned all of these and really preferred the SP9 and SP14 to the SP8.

IMHO, the SP9MKII or SP9MKIII are excellent choices. Tube rolling is also very inexpensive and easy with these preamps.

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I have owned five different AR preamps....., and I loved them all except the SP9 Mkiii. It was too thin sounding and totally lacked guts and body compared to the others... I sold it after owning it for only a week.

.... Other AR preamps that I have owned

LS 10, Ref 1, Ref 2 mk2 and Ref 3

Cegtv1, you might try and listen to a CAT preamp. I use a SL1 Sig with rolled in tubes with my ARC D70Mk2 and IMHO it is a great match-up. The ARC is good enough to reveal most of the faults of up stream gear and a great tube preamp really lets the ARC do its thing.

I have also owned the Sp-9 mk1 and mk2 and hated both units( went to SP-11 )..Much too thin and bleached out..I have owned many Audio Research pieces and the SP-9 (mk1 and 2 ) was by far the worst of there products I have ever owned...Spend the extra $$ and get a SP-11..You'll be a much happier person once you do...........

i want to thank everyone for input, i will now decide what to do