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Audio Research SP3A-1 or Conrad Johnson PV11

I am in the process of switching to a different preamp. I have been using the Quicksilver Full-Function preamp for some time now, and I am after a less digital-sounding preamp. I am interested in hearing opinions of the Audio Research SP3A-1 versus the Conrad Johnson PV11.

I have been able to borrow both of these preamps for short periods of time, and they seem to have their strengths from imaging, dynamic range, and sound stage. One thing that seems to entice me is the speakers seem to disappear with the SP3 preamp, but the highs and lows seem better with the PV11. Not sure others would agree with this assessment? The SP3 was recently updated with a new power supply (original design…it was the last SP3 power supply board ARC had) and Wima caps were used throughout the driver board. The PV11 is all original. It might be my imagination, but the SP3 seems to take 3-4 hours of playing to really “open up”. Again, I might be imagining this.

I sure would appreciate others opinions. I have one friend tell me that the PV11 seemed to lack dynamic range, while the other said it he liked the PV11 over the SP3 because of the soundstage and how it played jazz.

FYI; I can only buy one more preamp or my wife will kill me.

Thanks
Bob

SYSTEM:
-Quicksilver Mini-mites, Telefunken 12AX7 driver and GE 6l6 Output tubes
-Dynaudio Contour 1.1 on Dynaudio Stand2’s
-M&K subwoofer
-Sony SACD player
Audioquest Jaguar Interconnects with Kimber Kable 4TC Speaker Cable
-I listen to everything from jazz, Dire Straits, to even Chet Atkins
128x128bobbyk04
whart's avatar
whart
3,039 posts
 
I had an SP3A-1 back when they were still made, mid 70's and it was better
than just about anything else, save perhaps, for a well-tuned Marantz 7
(tube) preamp. It had a holographic quality, which was rare in preamps of
that era, most of which were solid state. By today's standards, I think it
would sound pretty 'old school' tubey, but I haven't heard one in years. I
never owned any C-J equipment- not that I have any dislike for it- it
seemed then, as now, there were strong adherents to one or the other- just
can't comment on the PV11.
I do agree that any preamp the age of an SP-3 is going to need some
attention. I got rid of mine for an SP-10mkii, which, at the time had a terribly
sweet phono section. Even that preamp, by today's standards, would
probably be euphonic and noisy.
Having something from that period would be cool though. I still have the
amp that matched my SP-3. For some reason, I never got rid of it, even
though I hardly ever turn it on.
Post removed 
rrog
1,958 posts
 
"I have been using the Quicksilver Full Function preamp for some time now and I am after a less digital sounding preamp."

So, you think a tube preamp is digital sounding? Now I've heard everything.
bobbyk04's avatar
bobbyk04 OP
2 posts
 
Rrog;
Perhaps my choice of terms was not accurate. I should have said I am interested in a preamp that has a more 'old-school' tube sound? The warmth that is often associated with audio equipment designed by the electronics experts coming out of the military after WWII? There is a marked difference in the sound from the SP3, PV11, and the Quicksilver, and I am just curious of others opinions on the units.
Thanks Bob
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
Bob,
When SP3A first came out, it was considered to be less tubby than old-school tube and was described as "refreshing" at that time. If you like old-school tube sound, you might want to consider a vintage McIntosh C22 instead.
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