Have to say that this is by far the best sounding tube amp I have ever heard, the Soundstage is wide and deep and the clarity and effortlessness that this preamp handle the front end is just amazing. I like that it has tone controls most tube preamps do not, but with me listening late night sometimes I need a little more treble, the phono stage is quite simply amazing. I could go on and on but if you know this preamp then you already know these things. My preamp has all bugle boy NOS tubes.

None found so far

I bought this Audio Research SP 3 in mint condition to augment my system that consists of a custom-built pair of 6146 mono amplifier, Thorens 160 Super turntable/ SME 3009 Series IIIs tonearm with Shure V15 type III driving a pair of DQ 10 speakers. The sound is somewhat comparable to the set-up using my ever reliable Precision Fidelity C7 preamp. Both preamps exude an air of musicality that can be surpassed by units costing more than twice their current prices. Although the SP 3 gives me more musical pleasure I can match any of the units with my other amplifiers- custom 845 triode and Quad 606- driving both vintage and relatively new models such AR 3a, AR 11, Dunlavy Aletha, KEF 105, etc. in my modest listening area. The SP 3 like the other components I have collected thru the years is a priceless piece of musical equipment that can withstand the challenge of the new technology.

Big sound stage, truth of timbre. Re-creates music as good as anything out there.

No remote, "kinda ugly looking", slightly more background noise than the newest designs. Old enough to need inspection and or restoration for safe use.

bought this unit used but restored eith the caps. replaced and a new set of tubes. The internal wire had been upgraded also due to age. This preamp will sing! the SP3 is classic looking (read old) but quite functional and simple when compared with some of the newer junk coming from overseas. It never occured to me that older gear could sound this good until I tried the SP3. I have hed $20,000 preamps that gave me less joy then the SP3. It will hold it's own against some state of the art equipment except for a slightly higher noise floor and bass that could be a little more forcefull (tubes) in absoulte terms. I would recomend the SP3 to anyone who is on a budgetand can find a nice (restored) one or knows their way around with a soldering Iron.

Customer Service

Audio research has always been great with support.

Similar Products Used:

Audio research LS5 Mk III, Classic 150, M100 monos.