My Counterpoint SA-5.1 is currently back with Mike Elliott to have the power supply rebuilt and some other upgrades done. I have already had the line stage and phono stage upgraded and all of the RCA jacks replaced. The original power supply caps are now over 20 years old and it is time for replacement. The power supply rebuild is quite extensive. I am also having the power transformer replaced with the Plitron toroidal transformer and the umbilical cord between the power supply and preamp replaced with a new one made from Cardas wire. The finishing touch is the volume pot is being replaced with a DACT volume pot.
Mike is backed up with work right now so I probably won't see my preamp back until late December or early January. Because I can't wait that long to hear music again, I bought an ARC LS-17 and ARC PH-3SE to tide me over. I have to say that I am very impressed with this duo and the Counterpoint SA-5.1 in tandem with the SA-2 will have its work cut out in order to beat the ARC combo. This is quite a different sound that I am used to and I am still trying to wrap my head around it. If I had to take a stab at it, I would say that I think the ARC pair is more neutral than the Counterpoint pair.
Mike is backed up with work right now so I probably won't see my preamp back until late December or early January. Because I can't wait that long to hear music again, I bought an ARC LS-17 and ARC PH-3SE to tide me over. I have to say that I am very impressed with this duo and the Counterpoint SA-5.1 in tandem with the SA-2 will have its work cut out in order to beat the ARC combo. This is quite a different sound that I am used to and I am still trying to wrap my head around it. If I had to take a stab at it, I would say that I think the ARC pair is more neutral than the Counterpoint pair.