Audible Illusions Modulus 3 Audio Research SP-11

Well based upon what is left in improvement I saw no reason to buy an SP-11. I own four of them! Mk1 -Mk3! two MK1 versions!

I was looking for a bloomy warm sound or if not for a crispy clear neutral sounding amp. While the SP-11 due to its FETS and tubes might need a longer time for warm up to reach its full potential, the AI is simply faster. It lacks a little of the sweetness in the mids and highs, but stil is a little better in transparency.

I also consider a MFA Magus, Bruce Moore preamps and many other did fall in love ith them as well.

Audio Research is a great and is more complex in its circuilt while transistor selection is also more critcial, but it does only achive 5% better sound in my opinion. So I rethink why buying off an expensive preamp when a cheaper one would do the same.

By installing a filter against dirty power, replace the main caps and its power transformer with Piltron you might still get better results than with Audio Research.

I had a discussion with Paul of PS Audio, Bruce Moore and both agreed that they have heared similar stories. The price tag of Aduio Research does not ALWAYS fully give me a reason to buy it when the improvement isn't that high.

Yes, it is generally so with Audio equipment, so I will go ahead and try and see what I like ...I personally see no reasn to threw the AI off.

Say what?!

You could get the same quality with fimilar sound for much less!
The price tag does not qualify its quality!

"bubbled edges"

To me that says you've got a microphonic tube, to do a simple test (without an oscilloscope on a test bench).

Take the lid off turn on the whole system. Turn the volume control up around loud level.

Get someone to listen close at the speakers left and right. While you flick each tube with you finger nail.

If they hear a 'bonk" out of your speaker/s then this tube is getting microphonic.

If it is really bad then it can in the worst case start a continuous feed back bong happening, and you may have to turn the volume down to stop it.

Cheers George

I've owned a Mod 3 and two different ARC preamps, tho neither was an SP-11. IMO, they fall at opposite ends of the spectrum. ARC gear can get a satisfying 3d presentation, but never gets tubey in a dark or romantic sounding way. Tonality stays neutral enough to feel very much like the best solid state gear.

My AI Mod 3 was darker, thicker thru the bass and lower mids, and all together a tubier sounding piece. It was definitely less neutral. I liked both, but the AI was IMO more personal taste/system defendant. I'd think that most folks would have no problem choosing one or the other.