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Spectral DMA 180 Questions

Hello,

I currently use a Spectral DMA 50 power amp in a system that includes Thiel 1.6, Spectral DMC 15, Krell CD 300, and a project RM 5 running through a mccromack phono pre, with MIT cabling throughout.

I got the DMA 50 used several years ago, and it's fantastic. It was much more informative and fuller than the McCormack dna 0.5 I'd been using with the thiels, and it erased any remaining brightness that was there with the mccormack.

I now have the upgrade bug, and I'm considering replacing the DMA 50 with a spectral DMA 180, given that it has a more evolved design, more power, which might result in better bass and more accurate presentations overall. I've heard that the DMA 180 is on the warm side, as is the DMA 50, and I'd prefer this with the thiels. My questions :

1. What is the difference between the DMA 180 series 1 and 2, sonically?

2. What are the opinions in general of the DMA 180? Should I be considering other spectrals, such as the 100, 150 or 90?

3. As far as warmth, would the DMA 180 be a decent match with the thiel 1.6, which can sound bright with the wrong electronics. In my current setupd, there's no problem with brightness or fatigue.

I listen to rock, classical chamber and orchestral music, and old jazz.
Thanks!
robertd
hikejohn
69 posts
 
Lawrence and Joe,
Some years back I had a DMA 150 DMC 30, earliest version...now I Ayre monoblocks/VTL 6.5 pre...I like the system...but wonder how things have progressed in Spectral land

John
lawrence_carmel's avatar
lawrence_carmel
14 posts
 
John,
I have not heard the new Spectral DMC-30SS pre amp.Est 10k retail,(new power supply,volume control,etc),replacement for the 30SL. The 30SL with gen one or two series modules has lower noise, more extension,resolution,etc. Then the original DMC-30. The DMA 150 series 2 and on to the 250 are much more refined with higher resolution and a warmer top end then the original 150 amp. With all the newer spectral amps I would use as a min cable the Mit V2.1 ultra wide, aka prism spk and V2.1 rca int. The Mit/Spectral 350 S2 rca and 770 S2 spk will not show you how warm and resolute Spectral gear can sound. Spectral gear also requires extensive isolation and line conditioning with dedicated circuits and audio grade wall receptacles to obtain the lowest line noise. Placing the amp on its own circuit pluged directly into the receptacle with a Z-Cord 2 and a Z-Stabilizer. Or One of the Mit cables with a Z-Stabilizer built in,(all AC2 cables, Shotgun,Magnum or Oracle). Then running the pre and digital on separate circuits with a high current isolator( MIT ISO-HC, 500 watt Isolator),one per front end component. Is one option to obtain the best results.
rumba
3 posts
 
Curious as to why lawrence feels the 180 series 2 should not be used with Oracle cables. I'm currently running it with V2.1. What is the downside of this?

Thanks!
lawrence_carmel's avatar
lawrence_carmel
14 posts
 
Rumba,
I asked Spectral and Mit's Bruce brisson the same question. They told me that the Oracle series spk(V1.1,2.1,3.1 ultra wide) is not compatible and the 180 series. The amp my oscillate and damage the output devices. If you are running V2.1 spk at this time I would call Mit or spectral and talked to one of there tech's that has been there long enough to know the 180 amps history. One sign that the 180 amp my be oscillating is if it is running hotter then normal. At the time I had my 180 I was using 850 ref spk and I was interested in upgrading to V1.1. They told me that the Oracle series can be modified to run the 180 safely but I decided to upgrade to a 150 S2 then 360 mono's and now a 250 with V1.1.
rumba
3 posts
 
Lawrence,

Thanks for the info - I'll contact MIT.

Curious as to how the Spectral 250 compares to the 360s for you?

Thanks!
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