2. amps-preamps
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B&K powering Spendor?

Primary question: How would a B&K Ref 200.3 or other B&K amp mate with a pair of Spendor 1/2's and a Spendor C5e center? I have been running this combo with an older Sony 777ES amp. It's time to upgrade and I want to move past the consumer grade stuff. I'll use the Sony as a pre for now but wanted to upgrade the power amp first.
I welcome your thoughts/suggestions. This system is running my video and audio system, including a Clearaudio turntable. I'll address the pre and phono stage later. The rears will run off of the Sony for the time being. I have no space for more speakers (WAF) so condider this a 5.1 system.
Thanks,
Jack
jackba
4 responses Add your response
clio09
3,355 posts
 
If I'm correct the power rating on the amp is 225 watts into 8 ohms. The Spendors have a pretty flat impedance curve. I ran a TRL D-225 with my Spendor 1/2e speakers and found they liked the extra power. I have read where others used a lot less power to run the 1/2's, but in my experience less power (50 - 100 watts) did not work out as well. Solid state was also better than tubes in my experience with the 1/2's.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I have been using Spendor since 1970 with so many different amps I can't remember a fraction of them. I have observed two things: 1 they are not very critical of amps, but 2 they will sound better as you raise the quality of amp. I am currently using Musical Fidelity NuVista M3 and Meridian 605s, 275 and 150 watts respectively. I drove them with early Krell [KSA 50 and 100, KMA 100] when I was a Krell dealer.
mlsstl
1,436 posts
 
Interesting comment about preferring solid state with the SP1/2Es. I had the opposite experience and have read many others find the same.

I was using a Bel Canto S300 solid state (150 watts/ch) with the Spendor S8es and preferred it to the Conrad Johnson tube amp I had previously. However, when I moved on to SP1/2Es, I found I preferred a tube amp (an Image 65i at 50 watts/ch).

However, there may be some issue with how loud one listens, the music involved, and what parameters a person finds significant when listening.

So it will always be one of those YMMV things.
nolitan
865 posts
 
spendors arent that choosy of amps provided it has good wattage like 50w or more.
i prefer s/s than tubes with spendor though ymmv.
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