Audio Research SP-3A-1 Preamplifier, Gold Edition
Archived listing from the original vintage-amplifier.com. Prices, seller details and purchase links have been removed; this page is a reference record, and nothing here is for sale. About this archive.
Audio Research SP3A-1 Preamplifier – Black/Gold. All original. This vintage unit is in perfect working order and all original. It is in amazing cosmetic condition for its age. It is definitely a collector’s piece. The woodcase is near perfect. Comes with original wood case and manual.
About this model
The SP-3 family made Audio Research's name. The Absolute Sound dates the original SP-3 to late 1972 and calls it one of the company's best-selling preamplifiers ever; the SP-3A-1 was a later revision. The original SP-3 used six 12AX7s in the audio stages and two more in the tone controls, according to the same source. We have not found a confirmed tube count for the A-1 version, so treat any figure you see in listings with care.
This black and gold example, according to the seller, was all original, in excellent working order and complete with its wooden case and manual. Original wood cases are a real plus on these; many have been lost or replaced.
| Maker | Audio Research Corporation, Minneapolis, USA |
|---|---|
| Family | SP-3 (original SP-3 released late 1972) |
| Type | Tube preamplifier |
| Finish | Black and gold faceplate (listing) |
| Accessories | Wooden case and manual (listing) |
Questions collectors ask
When did the Audio Research SP-3 come out?
The Absolute Sound dates the original SP-3 to late 1972. The SP-3A-1 is a later revision; its exact introduction date is not well documented.
How many tubes are in an SP-3?
The original SP-3 used eight 12AX7s: six in the audio stages and two in the tone-control circuit, per The Absolute Sound. Later revisions may differ.
Sources: The Absolute Sound: Hifi History, the SP-3A; Wikipedia: Audio Research.
