Recommendation for a highly resolving amp


I have Don Sachs 2 tube preamp driving Pass Labs X350.5 driving Sound Lab M545 ESL speakers. I like the sound very much, but when I went to hear my friend’s Spectral system (driving Quad2912 ESL) I realized my system can benefit from having a higher resolution amp. Spectral amps need all Spectral preamp/cabling, which would be quite expensive. What would you recommend?
128x128chungjh

Showing 4 responses by phcollie

@chungjh  
Can verify that cubed series is indeed highly resolving. I can hear the difference immediately when I change IC between the DAC, pre amp and my 4B3.  Speakers are magnepan.  Transparency is their thing but I think much is attributed to their patented Salomie input circuit. Have never had the pleasure of listening to a Spectral amplifier.  
@chungjh
Only a few. I did the research before choosing the 4B3 and chose the preamp (EAR Yoshino) because the seller confirmed the pairing and Dr. Mertins at Fairaudio.de uses this pairing in a reference system to evaluate audio products. One of the other guys there uses the 7B3.  I think they are a German outfit similar to Stereophile?  Auditions are basically impossible where I live. 
Here is Dr. Mertens evaluation of the 4B3 from 2018. He is still using this pairing (which I copied) of the EAR and the 4B3 three years later in his reference system. Mainly for the resolution as a professional evaluator. I happen to agree with all his comments and using Magnepan, I can attest that fatigue is not an issue. I listen for 5 hours every night. To be fair, at the price point, the AHB2 is a fine choice. Not everyone wants to or can spend the kind of money the cubed series requires. However, if one is searching for transparency and resolution, then the Cubed amplifiers are top shelf. I’m not a fan boy, so have no interest in what the OP decides. Be happy. I know for a fact that I am....very.

https://www.fairaudio.de/test/bryston-bp17-und-bryston-4b-vor-endverstaerker-kombination/