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):
I’ve been using Quicksilver tube amps for years with any BBC type speaker that I have owned. The Mid Mono tube mono blocks would be a nice pairing with those Stirlings. My friend is using this solid state Van Alstine with his Harbeth M30s. Both of these brands are worth a look. BTW, they are not balanced if that is what you really need! Vision SET 120 Power Amplifier – Audio by Van Alstine (avahifi.com)
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Yes, I also use the Mid Monos with the Stirling LS3/6 and they sound wonderful. For some strange reason, however, they do not match very well with the MC275, With the stock Mcintosh tubes, allegedly made by J J, the sound is too bass heavy. Or it might be my room, I do not know. The Quicksilver are really a perfect match with the LS3/6 if one decides to go with tubes. |
@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! |
