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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
bobbyk04's avatar
bobbyk04 OP
2 posts
 
I was wondering if switching tubes would have a dramatic effect on the sound of the Quicksilver preamp. With the Minimite amps, the choice of tubes makes a huge difference, but I never touched the preamp. I am unsure which version of the Quicksilver preamp I own (will check tomorrow when I get home), but it is an older version with the black face plate. I am curious how the sound would change.
The SP3 seemed to match well with my little amps, but I have also heard it with the ARC D-75 amp. As expected, there was a huge difference!

Thanks for everyone's comments. I appreciate all the suggestions thus far. Rather enjoyable reading comments by people with far more knowledge and experience than I will ever possess.
Bob
whart's avatar
whart
3,039 posts
 
Rrog, you and I had the same electronics, for me this was circa 1975. I used the SP 3-a-1 and Dual 75a with a pair of Quad ESLs. What about you?
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Bobbyk04, The earlier version has two 6x4 rectifiers and the later version has one 5AR4 rectifier. If you have the 5AR4 rectifier I can loan you a Mullard. If you have the 6x4 rectifiers you will have to look for GE 6X4s. I tried them all and the GEs are by far the best to my ears which was also confirmed by Mike Sanders.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Whart, I used the SP-3A-1 and D-75A with Maggies. That was a popular combination back then. I would bet they sounded good with the Quads too.
dover
2,243 posts
 
Bob, you may be interested to know that prior to producing his own preamp, Mike Saunders, the QS designer, used the SP3A with his QS monos at home.'
From my experience the QS pre has a very direct sound, the SP3 more old school, but top/bottom end and detail can be improved significantly with updating the signal caps to something better than the Wima. I would suggest MIT multicaps which are quick and coherent sounding, they excel on timing.
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