The SP16L linestage sports the classic Audio Research look (which has remained virtually unchanged for more than 30 years), but with an important difference: touch buttons have replaced toggle switches and knobs for volume, mute, and input selection. This move to microprocessor control of input selection and volume is probably what allows ARC to produce an all-tubed, remote-control linestage for less than $2000—potentiometers, knobs, and switches are costly, as is the labor to hand-wire these parts into the chassis.

A dual review of the SP16L Linestage and VS55 Power Amplifier from Audio Research!