ARC SP16 vs SP8

Yea im starting to think that even 6 feet apart is still not enough, im gonna have to live with it. Im not sure how far i should sit from the speakers.

Good imaging usually starts with a set up of a triangle. Seat perhaps 10 to 15 percent further away from the speakers than the speakers are apart from each other. An equalateral triangle is a great place to start. FWIW.

Agree i bought the Sp-15 here on Audiogon.
I was able to compare the Sp-15 to a SP-10mk2 and the Sp-15 was better all around than the Sp-10 I had on hand (with cheap tubes).
The Sp-15 never had a great review, mostly due to it's huge price increase. So it was 'damned with faint praise' as not being really worth $6,000. list.
It follows the other two two box preamps the SP-10 and Sp-11. And is a great preamp.
I have to say, some folks would prefer the sound of the Sp-10 with great tubes in it, over the Sp-15.
I am in the precision over warmth club. so i love the Sp-15 way more than the SP-10.
I do not need to keep the SP-15, but I love having it around, so mine is not for sale!
It is one of those 'keepers'.

Honestly from what i heard about the 10, the cost to retube it is alot. What i do like about the 16 is how neutral it is, im not sure if i would like a warmer coloration. I think the 16 is more closer to the sound of your 15 than the 10, but mabey not as detailed or as front row.

The SP-8 was just below the SP-10 in the product line. It is an expensive proposition to keep the SP-10's phono stage in low noise tubes. The SP-8 had a tube regulator and was more tube sounding than the SP-16. The SP-16 is more accurate and is a really good preamp. Crosstalk should not even be an issue unless there is a problem with it. You could have a noisy regulator in it. When was the last time it was retubed?