Audio Research SP 20
Stereophile:
"Summing Up
With the neutral, detailed, dynamic, and flexible SP20, Audio Research has hit one out of the park. The company has provided in the SP20 a level of performance of both phono and line stage that would cost almost twice as much to match with ARC separates, when the cost of interconnects is included. ARC has included in the SP20 features derived from their flagship Reference 10 line stage, as well as a first-rate headphone amplifier. I never thought I'd call a $9000 preamp a bargain, but the SP20 is just that."