legal eagle
Sound Hound
Anybody know anything about this preamp? Can't find any good info about it. :scratch2:
legaleagel,
The Audio Research SP12 was the contemporary of the SP8 and SP10, and was their "budget" preamplifier- I think it was about $800 less than an SP8- that's over 1/3 less-a significant proportion. It was also, with the SP10, the first 6DJ8 based Audio Research preamp.
I heard the SP12 along side an SP8 in 1985 and there was no contest in terms of detail, naturalness, dynamics- I bought an SP8- and still have it. The SP8 has tubes in the power supply while I think the SP12 uses all 5- 6DJ8s for gain. Construction quality as usual for ARC was quite good, except I've never liked pushbuttons- and the SP12 has a whole row of them for input selection, tape and so on. I would check on the cost of the pushbuttons- they are plastic, have lights, and and are all 20+ years old. I'm certain ARC can supply them. Also, another reason I resisted the SP12 was that I remember it had 5 inputs including phono and tape- too close to minimum. In my current office system, which I use for recording, I use 5 of the 7 line stage inputs.
The SP12 was not bad at all- to me it's prefereable to some of the softer C-J tube preamps of the era, but was just not refined and balanced top to bottom and could be a bit harsh on top with the bass a little boomy. It's just disappointing after hearing the superb SP8 . I don''t think many SP12s sold and while being not commonly offered, because of reputation, the pushbuttons, they are also not expensive. The last two I've seen sold were $450 and $525.
Earluier this year, I thought of buying an SP12 to replace my solid state Audio Research LS3 in the office- it would be a way to use a big pile of NOS 6DJ8s I have, but I've decided to either go back to the trusty SP8 or buy an LS15.
Personally, if you want vintage Audio Research, I'd opt for an SP3, a late SP6, or best of all, a late SP8. The sound of those is more refined, there's a following that will maintain or increase in value, and importantly, they are 12AX7 based- a much easier tube to live with and refine the sound with NOS. Unfortunately, NOS 6DJ8 family tube prices have gone insane. SP12's seem reasonably priced, but in my philosophy, the preamp is the "heart" of a system and I'd spend something more and go for the SP3, SP6, or SP8- and then keep it 20 years instead of changing again. - As preamps change slowly anyway-have the preamp be the "reference"- consistent element in the system.
And the older all tube ARC preamps are great value for money- I believe my SP8 is worth close to it's purchase price after 22 years and therefore on paper has been a great preamp more or less for "free". -Now, there's a "budget" preamp for you!
Cheers,
Bambi B
[ARC: SP8, SP10, LS3, D115, D130]
since these are very old, plan on spending $$$$$$$ to recap, re-tube, this unit. then
when you get used to the sound, plan on more money for the next inevitable purchase
up the ARC food chain.