Audio Research Tube Preamp- the SP series

Bassphil
Bassphil Posts: 136
edited April 2011 in Wanted (WTB) Classifieds
Hi, I'm expanding my preamp search to a few more pre's in Audio Research's line up. I'm looking for one of the following Audio Research pre's:

SP6
SP8
SP10
SP11

If you have one that you'd like to sell, drop me a line.

-Phil
www.philpalombi.com
Post edited by Bassphil on
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  • Bassphil
    Bassphil Posts: 136
    edited October 2009
    vc69 wrote: »
    Dude, I see them all the time on ebay and Audiogon. Have you checked there?
    Been salivating over them for quite awhile. Ended up with a VTL though. :)

    Yeah, I've been watching, but no luck. An SP-6b popped up on eBay this week, but the Buy It Now price a little too high for a 6B. Someone didn't think so, though, and bought it a few days later. If it was mint, maybe I would have bought that one. If it was an SP-8, I probably would have...

    There's a SP-10 locally (NYC) that I'm trying to negotiate, but I'm not sure what's going to happen. Once again, he wants too much money for something that old, no matter how good it is. I made him a reasonable offer, and he's considering it.

    Until then, I'd be overjoyed to find an SP8!

    -Phil
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited October 2009
    Yeah I saw that 6b. $787 really wasn't an unreasonable price. A little steep for my blood though.

    What kind of amp are you going to be hooking it up to?

    There is an LS1 on ebay.
    click here for ebay link

    That seller has a lot of ARC stuff and I have seen some of it go very reasonable. FYI

    Haven't checked out Agon. A buddy of mine is looking at reference mk2's but he is gonna drop some change.
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited October 2009
    Dude, I see them all the time on ebay and Audiogon. Have you checked there?
    Been salivating over them for quite awhile. Ended up with a VTL though. :)
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited October 2009
    If you would consider one from Canada I did see a SP9 MKII for sale. If you need help with anything in Canada let me know. Good luck. ARC is great gear.
    SP9
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Bassphil
    Bassphil Posts: 136
    edited November 2009
    vc69 wrote: »
    Yeah I saw that 6b. $787 really wasn't an unreasonable price. A little steep for my blood though.

    What kind of amp are you going to be hooking it up to?

    There is an LS1 on ebay.

    That seller has a lot of ARC stuff and I have seen some of it go very reasonable.

    I agree, the price was okay, but that particular one seemed like it may have had some issues. Two of the switches weren't stock, and the seller had no idea why or who did the work. I'd pay that for one that had more of a history behind it.

    That LS1 looks nice, and it has all the features I want (a mono switch and the option to reverse the stereo image), but I would like to have the phono stage. Also, the PS6, 8, 10 & 11's have more tubes in the signal path.

    I have a pair of Cary Slam 100 Monoblocks that are powering Magnepan MG12's. A good friend of mine hipped me to the SP-6b, which he uses to feed an Aronov tube power amp.
    janmike wrote: »
    If you would consider one from Canada I did see a SP9 MKII for sale. If you need help with anything in Canada let me know. Good luck. ARC is great gear.
    SP9

    I have no problem with Canada- everyone loves Canadians :D

    I've bought quite a few things from up there, so if you see one of the 4 pre's I'm looking for, please let me know. The SP9 is a great pre, as is all the ARC stuff, but I like the "tubeyness" of those other 4 models.

    Thanks guys!

    -Phil
    www.philpalombi.com
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited November 2009
    I'll keep my eye out for anything Phil.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited November 2009
    Phil, there is a SP-8 on Audiogon.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Bassphil
    Bassphil Posts: 136
    edited November 2009
    janmike wrote: »
    Phil, there is a SP-8 on Audiogon.

    Thanks for thinking of me! I just saw that listing, but of course I saw it right after I bought an SP-6C :eek:

    Actually, I considered buying that SP8 and reselling the SP6C, but after talking with the people selling the 8, the 6C I just bought is probably in better shape. I found a 2nd owner 6C, who still has all the original stuff- box, packing, manual, etc... and it's been in use. I feel a little better spending the money there. Plus, like me, the seller of the 6C is a professional musician, and we know a lot of the same people, which makes me feel a little safer about buying a piece of vintage gear.

    I have to say, though, since I've been researching the Audio Research stuff, I'm still going to keep my eyes open for an SP10 or SP11. I'll listen to the 6C for a while, then if I'm lucky enough to find a 10 or 11, I'll pick it up to compare them. In the end, it will be interesting to see who gets voted of the island :D

    -Phil
    www.philpalombi.com
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  • ROY BOY
    ROY BOY Posts: 89
    edited November 2009
    Hi. I just sold one on E bay for 2500. ITEM # 250527985122. Sorry man I did not seen that post before. To bad

    Bassphil wrote: »
    Yeah, I've been watching, but no luck. An SP-6b popped up on eBay this week, but the Buy It Now price a little too high for a 6B. Someone didn't think so, though, and bought it a few days later. If it was mint, maybe I would have bought that one. If it was an SP-8, I probably would have...

    There's a SP-10 locally (NYC) that I'm trying to negotiate, but I'm not sure what's going to happen. Once again, he wants too much money for something that old, no matter how good it is. I made him a reasonable offer, and he's considering it.

    Until then, I'd be overjoyed to find an SP8!

    -Phil
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  • Bassphil
    Bassphil Posts: 136
    edited November 2009
    ROY BOY wrote: »
    Hi. I just sold one on E bay for 2500. I did not seen that post before to bad. Take care.Roy

    Just out of curiosity, what model number did you have?

    Thanks!
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  • ROY BOY
    ROY BOY Posts: 89
    edited November 2009
    Bassphil wrote: »
    Just out of curiosity, what model number did you have?

    Thanks!

    That was Audio Research SP-10
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  • topirwriter
    topirwriter Posts: 3
    edited January 2011
    I am considering selling and would like to get an idea about the market for this equipment.
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  • Bassphil
    Bassphil Posts: 136
    edited January 2011
    topirwriter wrote: »
    I am considering selling and would like to get an idea about the market for this equipment.

    Hi! It depends what you have. Not all of their gear is commanding top dollar. Personally, I was keeping an eye on the Sp 6 and SP 8 series, which seem to get around $1000 depending on their shape and history. The SP 10 generally sells above $2K, and the SP11 above that (around $2500 to $3K).

    Good luck with your sell!

    -Phil
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  • topirwriter
    topirwriter Posts: 3
    edited January 2011
    I am thinking of selling my Audio Research SP-10 preamplifier. I would like to know what the market is for this preamp. It is being checked out--tubes, circuits, switches, contacts, etc.--and cleaned up, so any information about value would be appreciated.
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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited January 2011
    topirwriter wrote: »
    I am thinking of selling my Audio Research SP-10 preamplifier. I would like to know what the market is for this preamp. It is being checked out--tubes, circuits, switches, contacts, etc.--and cleaned up, so any information about value would be appreciated.



    Here's some information you may need.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/announcement.php?f=34
    >
    >
    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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  • Bassphil
    Bassphil Posts: 136
    edited February 2011
    I've seen the SP10 sell for around $2K if it's in great shape... That's a nice preamp!
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  • topirwriter
    topirwriter Posts: 3
    edited February 2011
    Thanks, Bassphil! I'll keep your comments in mind once the check-up is completed, and I know what those expenses are. However, from reading the rules for this site, it appears I won't be able to list anything for sale unless I qualify via a history of posts. Yes, it's a nice piece of equipment, but it's really too high-end for my current system, which is apparently not a good match for the SP10 and actually masking the performance of the SP10. Again, thanks for your helpful comments.
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  • waudio
    waudio Posts: 3
    edited April 2011
    Hello,

    I am looking to purchase Audio Research sp10. If you still have them, please send me email @ ucdinteriors@gmail.com

    Let me know.

    Thanks
    suti
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