Advice on Sterling LS3/6


I learned on a UK Spendor forum that Derek Hughes is retiring and closing down Sterling Broadcast.  They are clearing out inventory at excellent prices - mostly LS3/5a V2 and V3, but also a few other models.  I'm looking at the LS3/6. The regular price for the LS3/6 is $6000/pair  and the sale price is $3300 (plus $600 shipping to the US).

One pair of LS3/6 have been shipped to Jeff Stake, a dealer in Indiana.  I told Jeff I may be interested, but I've never heard them.  I could drive down to audition them (I live in Chicago) but I thought I'd check on Agon to see if others have experience with them.

I currently have Spendor SP3/5 R2 speakers in a small room.  The LS3/6 would go in a new listening room, 17x23 ft.  I will be using them with Bacch4Mac and a solid state amp (undecided, but probably Starcrimson monoblocks).  Qobuz is the source, over a Bluesound streamer with LPS and English 8 switch.  I'll use the Bacch's RME DAC.  I like vocals (Melody Gardot), Argentine Tango (Gotan Project), Van Morrison, Duke Ellington.  Seldom crank it up.

To my mind, the real alternative is a Harbeth 30.x or C7ES3.  At Axpona I heard a Spendor Classic series (not sure which) that I really liked but the cost is beyond my budget (over $10k).  Any comments would be welcome.

Latest review of the Stirling LS3/6 is from The Absolute Sound (where the retail price is listed as $9995):

 

treepmeyer

Showing 8 responses by treepmeyer

@grislybutter Jeff said to email or call him and he would see if Stirling can send another pair of LS3/6.  Google Jeff Stake HiFi in Bloomington, IN

They really appear ideal for me.  I told Jeff I'll take them.  Many thanks for the comments.

I am very impressed pairing my modded Peachtree Gan1 with my Spendor SP3/5R2 speakers,  so I thought I'd stay with the Gan or newer class D amps - but I'm open to tubes.  Any recommendations?  Budget is only about $2000, though.  Used is fine.

@yogiboy The reason for looking for a new power amp is that I've implemented the Bacch4Mac system.  Edgar recommended that I not use the Gan1 even though I upgraded the RME interface to enable a coax out.  Long story.  Suffice it to say, I need an amp that accepts analog input, preferably balanced.

@dogearedaudio I will keep an eye out for a used Eico.  However, I am very intrigued about perhaps using a restored Fisher or Scott receiver.  I'm in Chicago and have an excellent guy who specializes in restoring vintage audio equipment.  Thanks for the suggestions.

@yogiboy The Quicksilver amps look great, and reasonably priced.  Funny you should mention the Van Alstine SET amps as I had my eye on them for awhile.  Will check out both.

@grislybutter I will ask Jeff if he can get another pair

Thanks to everyone.

Oh, the Bacch system is very interesting.  Using it in a suboptimal room now, but with well-recorded tracks the effects are terrific. Imaging and soundstage are taken to a new level.  To give just one example, in Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side, there is the section where he sings, "and the colored girls go do, da-do, da-do" and then you hear them.  With Bacch they start they start way in the background with a light, ethereal do, da-do.  Gradually they move forward, expand in presence and volume until they are placed between you and Lou, singing on the plane of the speakers.  Wow!

Sorry, my confusion.  It's Doug Sterling who is retiring and shutting down Stirling Broadcasting, not Derek Hughes.  Thanks for the correction.

I might add that Andrew did a phenomenal job packing up the pair of LS3/6 that I bought.  Jeff Stake was a pleasure to do business with, too.