Audio Research SP-16L

**From Seller: Incredible Pre-amp. Includes 3 New Old Stock
Tubes, 1963,64,65 Amperex, with less than 200 hours of use. Original box,
remote and user manual make this a great buy!

From Audio Research:

The analog renaissance continues! Ever since the SP9MKII was
discontinued in 1996, the demand for a full-function Audio Research
preamplifier with an integral phono stage - and an affordable price - has grown
ever louder. Well, we have been listening, and are very excited to introduce
the SP16. The SP16 will also be available as a line-stage.

A lot of thought and preparation went into this product
because we wanted it to provide so much, including classic tube architectures
for both line and phono sections, flexibility, modern conveniences, and to
redefine the level of performance in its price range.

The SP16 is completely single-ended with five sets of inputs
(labeled Phono, CD, Tuner, Video and Aux) plus a Processor pass-through. There
are two sets of main outputs for flexibility, plus a Tape out. The SP16 has a
12-volt trigger to turn on power amplifiers or other equipment, and full remote
control of all functions including power, input selection, stereo/mono, volume,
and muting. The power cord is our standard removable IEC.

The most important control functions of the SP16, including
Power, Mute, Processor, Input select, and Volume Up/Down, are accessible on the
right side of the front panel via six soft-touch buttons, just like the control
buttons on the CD3. On the left side of the front panel (mirroring the control
function cutout on the right) is an LED display indicating Input, Processor,
Mono, and Mute, with a horizontal row of LEDs underneath numbered 1-20 (lit one
at a time) for volume. In its other physical aspects we have made several
changes from the norm while still maintaining the strong Audio Research look.
The front panel is 17.75 inches wide and is virtually flush with the chassis
sides.

Look inside, and you will see the same beautiful
construction quality found in its more costly siblings: the same expensive
board material, the same extra-thick copper circuit traces, even the same
point-to-point wiring and hand-soldering of parts. Machined RCA connectors, not
cheap imitators. The SP16 is pure Audio Research, pure Class-A, with all-tube
gain in both line and phono stages utilizing three select 12AX7 tubes in each
circuit (six total). We are enamoured of these particular 12AX7s -- which are
new production and have only become available in the last few months - not only
because of their sonics, but also because they allow the circuit topology to
remain simple while providing high-gain. Circuit highlights include regulated
power supplies with a total of eight high and low-voltage regulators,
high-energy storage plate supply, our patented DEC filter cap decoupling, high
performance input-selection relays allowing short audio paths, and 70-step
digitally-controlled analog-switch volume control with precision tracking. Dual
low-impedance cathode-follower main outputs allow you to easily drive two power
amplifiers simultaneously. Gain for the line inputs is 12dB. Total gain from
the phono input to the main outputs is 54dB, suitable for moving-magnet and
high-output moving coil cartridges.

If you were curious about our rationale for labeling this
new model the SP16, it is simple: this is the first new full-function
preamplifier, with an integral phono stage, introduced since the SP14 and SP15.

Sonically, the SP16 is pure fun as it easily unravels fine
musical lines, bouncing along with surprising micro and macro-dynamic swings.
The soundstage is big, airy and dimensional. Vocals have real body, making
Ella, Frank or Diana sound like they're singing just for you. The SP16 is so
good that it can be partnered with a vintage D100 or a new VT200MKII and sound
glorious either way. And, it will make the sound come alive when it's used with
an A/V processor.

The SP16 without the phono stage is designated the SP16L.
The front panels of both versions are identical, except that on the
"L" version the Phono LED will not light when selected. On the rear
panel there are no RCA input jacks where the phono inputs would be, there is no
ground post, and the model is listed as SP16L. Internally the phono stage is on
the main board along with the line amp section, but will not be
"stuffed" with components, tube sockets, etc. on the line-only
version. Yes, the phono section can be added at a later date at the Audio
Research factory.