Bombaywalla: I started out with an ARC SP8 and ARC D115.2 with the Acoustat 2+2 and enjoyed the system for years. I also had a DMC10 and a pair of DMA50s also. I would mix and match various combos to see which would work. However about three years ago (place blame on Audiogon!) I got worked up about buying a new system, I was in near sticker shock at first, but also because of Audiogon I was fortunate enough to put together a very decent system. The center piece of the electronics was the DMC30sl. I think it serves its purpose quite well. In regards to the ARC preamps, I still like them, in particular their very seductive midrange, and upper bass regions. Everybody seems to think that ss preamps
get shrill in the treble region or at least grainy. In most cases they are correct in that assumption, however, the Spectral seems to be lacking in this aspect; it is smooth all the way to the top of the frequency range. I just think in general it is harder to make a very good ss preamp( ditto ss amps) than tube (pre)amps. I have no plans to change or get up tight about my system with a ss preamp or ss amp. I just enjoy it for what it is: a window to sound reproduction.
get shrill in the treble region or at least grainy. In most cases they are correct in that assumption, however, the Spectral seems to be lacking in this aspect; it is smooth all the way to the top of the frequency range. I just think in general it is harder to make a very good ss preamp( ditto ss amps) than tube (pre)amps. I have no plans to change or get up tight about my system with a ss preamp or ss amp. I just enjoy it for what it is: a window to sound reproduction.