I've owned various Thiels, Spendors and Reynaud speakers since my TC-50 days, but the only monitors that improved upon their imaging and vanishing capabilities were Totem Model 1's. These were astonishing in my small listening room with a Sonic Frontiers SFS-40 amp with NOS Mullard EL-34 tubes, and an Audible Illusions Mod 3a preamp. Alas, the magic was lost when we moved to a bigger home. I'm currently awaiting delivery of a pair of Reynaud Offrandes.
Former Spica owners ... what did you trade up to ?
This question is brought on by my borrowing of a friend's Spendor s3/5. The spendors are very highly reviewed, particularly in the area of imaging. To cut a long story short I lived with the spendors for 3 days and then put back my trusty Spica Angelus and the conclusion...
The spicas are head and shoulders above the Spendors in every possible way, but especially in imaging. With the spendors it was very apparent that the sound was coming from two small boxes. The sound was also veiled, which surprised me since their top end extension is supposed to be superior to the aging angelus.
Ok the Spendors win in looks. But that's it.
So that got me thinking, with all the review hype out there I need to hear from previous spica owners on which speakers they have found to be a clear upgrade, both monitors and floorstanders.
The spicas are head and shoulders above the Spendors in every possible way, but especially in imaging. With the spendors it was very apparent that the sound was coming from two small boxes. The sound was also veiled, which surprised me since their top end extension is supposed to be superior to the aging angelus.
Ok the Spendors win in looks. But that's it.
So that got me thinking, with all the review hype out there I need to hear from previous spica owners on which speakers they have found to be a clear upgrade, both monitors and floorstanders.