sgg5e@dale.acc.Virginia.EDU (Stephen G. Graber) (03/02/90)
I am hoping some of you will be willing to share your impressions of
various preamps you may have heard. I am currently using a conrad-johnson
MC7 and I'm considering replacing it with either a used Audio Research SP10,
or perhaps a new ARC SP14. I've done some listening at home in comparing
the SP10 with my cj and my initial impression is that the SP10 has a much
smoother overall sound and a more holographic image- ie deeper than the cj
but also gives more sense of the space around each instrument (hope that
makes sense). The cj is certainly as good at the width of soundstage and at
the pinpoint localization of instruments but doesn't seem as "musical". I
also haven't made up my mind about the bass- the cj may be a bit more
controlled the SP10 a tad bloated- need to listen more.
I've also compared the SP14 with the cj PV9 in a dealers listening
room. I liked the SP14 hands down- most noticeable was its ability to
define what was happening with the bass line although I felt it was much
more detailed in all regards. The PV9 seemed to color everything in much
the same way, always enjoyable, smooth, honey coated but the distinctions
between say, banjo, mandolin and guitar were blurred.
I digressed a bit- what I'd like to hear are your impressions of these
preamps- in particular what are the pros and cons of the SP10 and how does
it compare with the SP14? The used SP10 was recently retubed but the asking
price is still near to what the SP14 should cost. Any reinforcement for my
initial impression that the MC7 is thinner, more metallic than the SP10?
Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated! Post or e-mail (and I'll
summarize in a week or so) as you choose, but please let me benefit from
some of your experience. Thanks much.
Steve Graber work: (804) 924-9976
UVa Dept. Pharmacology home: (804) 973-1283
sgg5e@dale.acc.virginia.edu