Audio research

Dropping a grand on a SP9, but tell the op to blow at least $6000. on a SP20? I guess money grows on trees. I always enjoyfolks saying Go spend XXX MORE!.The two preamps the op in trading cost about the same, made about the same time. (actually the LS3 a few years later, no big deal.)I would say go for it if you want the phono section.One thing you might see if it would fly. Say yes to trade but only if in case you change your mind you have 30 days to TRADE BACK.Maybe have to throw in $50 to trade back? so it has some vigorish for the other party to not be annoyed.

This is what you need.

http://tubes4hifi.com/pre11.htm#PH16

Thank you Elizabeth obviously you understood my question.I know there is no contest between a reference audio research and a sp9,just wanted to get some input on the two units, its just going to be a trade between a couple of old audiophile buddies ,I,m not spending a cent or will I take a lost at all.He will just take it back if its not to my liking and sell to someone else with one phone call.I am sure it will sound fine I have great speaker cables  power cords interconnect vintage 6922 tubes to try out to hear what works best.I do have a question about the faceplate it looks like a newer one compared to the 1st couples of years.The faceplate looks just like my ls3 accept with the added phono .Would you know which year that unit might have been made,it really does look like brand new mint out of the box.Thanks MAXWELL

 There were a few different versions of the SP9. It should say on the back if it is a mk2 or later. If you email ARC with the serial number, they can tell you what version you have and when it was made. Around 1990 or so ARC stopped putting mounting holes in the face plate.

To help know which version, there are photos of the internals here at the ARC database. http://www.arcdb.ws/SP9/SP9.html