Need some Tube and Class A SS Suggestions

@millercarbon
Maybe I am using the term revealing incorrectly. Maybe it's sibiliance in the high frequencies? I don't know, whatever it is it is uncomfortable to my ears at medium or high volume on certain tracks. A good example is the lead guitar on Wilco's Hate it Here. I don't ever remember this song as being bright. But don't get me wrong, this speaker is amazing in literally every other way.

@branches 
Interesting that we are in the same boat here! I'm curious to hear what you end up doing. I'm debating whether I should go all Tube or not. If for the only reason being that it sound fun. Haha.

@almarg 
You know what's funny I ready the same review and didn't quite put two and two together. I could trade in my amp to upscale audio and test out a Primaluna for a while to see if it works. In another thread on the steve hoffman forums about the Spendor D7 someone did comment that they heard the D7 with Primaluna gear at a dealer, which is the reason they bought the D7. So who knows.

I would pair a Prima Luna tube amp with a Prima Luna tube preamp.  System synergy is key. 

Other than the XA25 mentioned above, I recommend you check out the Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 600. I listened to it recently with Spendor D9s, a very pleasing result. I imagine it would sound just as good with the D7s if not better

Regarding the EVO 400 possibility, while I couldn't find measurements on it many PrimaLuna power amps have particularly high output impedances, even for tube amps. If that is the case with the EVO 400, given the speaker's rising impedance in the upper treble region (see Figure 1 of Stereophile's measurements here) the result of that pairing may be an over-emphasis of the upper treble region, which sounds like the opposite of what you are looking for.

Regarding the XA25, which I own, I second the comment by three_easy_payments. And especially his suggestion of pairing it with a tube line stage. The XA25 is very transparent, and pairing it with a very transparent solid state line stage may be too much of a good thing, given what you are trying to accomplish.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

@millercarbon is correct here.  The D7's aren't too revealing and that's a fairly nonsensical term I agree since it is an attribute we desire.  In my experience over the past 2 years with these speakers is that the tweeters need some run in to shed some initial grain and edge.  I first heard the D7's at a show and was hugely impressed.  I knew that Spendor didn't bring any D7's to shows with less than 500 hrs on them so I wasn't alarmed by the run in period needed.  They really have one of the most amazing tweeters I've heard...which I'm sure led Stereophile to write this  in its review: 

I noticed especially fine treble dispersion and extension, as well as freedom from any harshness. The treble had a crystalline clarity that put the Spendor D7 among the finest speakers I have heard at any price.

The tweeter clarity is at a level that most speakers don't possess.  They also have a fabulous midrange and bass extension while imaging at a level that I normally associate with nice stand-mounted monitors. In my system I truly enjoy the music that is conveyed through pairing the speakers with Class A SS amplification and a tubed pre that can operate in a fully balanced circuit from input to output. 

Why do guys say too revealing when what they mean is the top end and transients are hyped? Or is it grainy and edgy? Because the one thing it can't be is too revealing. I mean that is the whole entire goal, to reveal what is on the recording. Reveal. Yes. That is exactly what we want. Cannot possibly have too much of it. No. I do not think you are using this term correctly. Not at all. 

I'm gonna guess from the word "too" that what you're trying to say is something is exaggerated. But what? Attack? Transients? Top end? 

Whatever it is, if you want to have any chance of success you need to figure it out. 

First time poster here, but I've been following this forum for a while. I was compelled to comment here because my experience is eerily similar. I have the D7's with a Hegel H80. This combo is also fast, tight and sometimes too revealing. I'm also desiring some mid-bass warmth. I think with the H80 I haven't tapped into the full dynamic potential of the D7's.

Like you I'm also considering higher power tubes amps or SS class A (which I've never heard).  But, I'd like to stick with an integrated. I'm looking now at a Primaluna Dialogue HP or Vincent SV700 for my budget. 

Out of those you have listed, the Line Magnetic would be my top choice. But all of your options look like they'd be a great match. I don't have any direct experience with any of these so I'm looking forward to seeing where this thread goes and what you choose.

Carver Raven 350’s (tube)
older McCormack rehabbed by steve.
used pass labs amp,

 too many ways to go.

 There’s a McCormack on flea bay in a gold revision for 2K
    There’s a Threshold stasis 300 also on flea bay.  
 Happy hunting.
so mnay good amps out there.

happy hunting!

My D7s have probably 200 hours on them or so. Maybe a bit more. I actually have noticed the tweeter evening out a bit. These were a demo pair at a dealer and they were not sure how much it had run in before I bought them.

Anyway, class A amp and Tube Linestage is sounding more and more appealing to me. A bit of sweetness up top is all I really need. Thanks for the feedback.

The A-line stand mounted! I have owned other Spendors with Quicksilver and they always sounded good!

How many hours are on your D7's? I have a pair and they take quite a while to run in.  At 150 hrs you will notice the tweeter more relaxed and they keep improving so up to 500 hrs.  Well worth giving them time and the music sounds great along the way.  

I took a similar approach as you with my D7's as they are the most "hifi" sounding component in my system. Class A solid state amp coupled with tube linestage and tube phono stage.  The Pass XA25 will be a great match especially if you pair it with a tube linestage.  I use a XA30.8.  You will get the sweetness and open presentation of the tubes but with some bottom end grip that SS provides. I pair the XA30.8 with a VAC Ren MKV with NOS Mullard 6922's and I get everything that I need in terms detail, tube goodness, grip, texture, natural presentation, and balance evenly across the sonic spectrum.  With the amazing imaging, ability to convey tactile elements of music (they are really fast), and amazing bass down to 29hz, the D7's deliver a lot of value for the money in a fairly small package. I don't have experience with the preamps you're considering but I think you're on the right track assuming your musical priorities are similar to mine.

Enjoy!

What Spendor speakers do you have? The classic line?

I use Quicksilver tube gear with my Spendors and Harbeths and the combination is outstanding!
http://quicksilveraudio.com/

Yes - I've heard that as well. Problem is finding a dealer around here that carries them...

I think Sugden would be a good match with your Spendor speakers.

I have TAD ME-1 speakers and a Vinnie Rossi LIO DHT preamp. I have a Coda Contiuum #8 amplifier on the way and I’m expecting a good result. I will report back.