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audio research

i was wondering what audio research pre-amp will mate well
with the audio research d-70 mkII, i was thinking about the sp-9 theirs one nearby and i listen to a lot of vinyl so maybe someone can help me out thanks paul
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tubegb's avatar
tubegb
59 posts
 
Hi Paul,

Strictly personal opinion based on owning back in the day both the D70MKII and the following ARC preamps:

SP-8: later versions, would be first choice
SP-9: MKII or MKIII, would be second choice

Although I have not owned one, I have heard the SP-6E many times as well, always with excellent results.

Good luck!
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,152 posts
 
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.
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,486 posts
 
.
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
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