So recently had an opportunity to try this phono amp as my audio guy got it on a trade in from the original owner. I was swapping it in place of my musical surroundings phonomea ii. I was hesitant because I have a fair amount of tubes in my system already, and didn't want to make the sound too airy. I couldn't have been more wrong. it was magic from the minute I plugged it in. Soundstage seems bigger and just more enveloping.
All other musical terms aside, it just sounded fantastic. Needless to say I ended up buying it, and recently upgrade the original sovtek tubes in it with some NOS tungsrams and couldn't be more pleased. Amp opened up even more and just has a pop to it.
Given the additions of the new benz cart, vr-4jrs, cables and this preamp this year, I can honestly say my system has never sounded this good. Damn addictive and expensive hobby...
Awesome preamp and congratulations for picking it up. I was strongly considering getting one so its good to know that it's working out well for you. Which turntable are you running it with? Don't you have a Nottingham?
I recently got an Acoustic Plan Phonomaster SE tube phono preamp and echo your observations about tube phono preamps in general. I can see so far into the music that it surprises me every time I turn it on. I don't think that my Acoustic Plan is as quiet as your Audio Research however, as I hear a fair amount of tube hiss when I hold my head close to the speaker. Still sounds fantastic.
Jamie, yup, I am running a Nottingham interspace jr with a Benz L2 Wood cart. And your description of being able to see into the music sounds like what I am hearing. it is almost like the music has gotten bigger if that makes any sense.
There is no doubt that AR makes some of the best sounding gear out there. Rock solid all around.