I will be taking a delivery on a Musicain III SE within a week or two. Regarding the tweaks available out there in the market place...does anyone have experience with one of the following "packages?"
(1) Walker Audio SST and HFT fuses
(2) Extreme Audio Quicksilver Gold and (4) HFT Fuses
(3)HFT Fuses
I guess the nature of the audiophile is to always be looking for ways to make the best even better, which is a respectable goal...to a point. |
Excellent description of the Spectron soundprint Rafael. . . This is exactly what I heard last fall at Steve Chang's place (Schang) in Denver. Reviews such as this one corroborate my opinion that. . . NOT ALL SWITCHING AMPS ARE DESIGNED/BUILT ALIKE! |
Here is from review of Don Shaulis in Stereo Times:
"Some would describe the Spectron as tube-like. Tube fans would cryNo! The operative word here is like. While the Spectron does not have the full bloom (or exaggeration) of tube amplifiers, neither does it have the dry and clinical presentation of many solid-state amplifiers. What it does have is a well-balanced and even presentation with engaging warmth. I think of it as a neutral presentation with a smile. The top end is extended but not edgy or harsh. The middle range is full-bodied, detailed, and intimate. At the lower end there is power and control for remarkably solid, well-defined bass slam as well as the finesse to define an upright bass with all its subtleties and nuances. I found the soundstage to be spacious and deep but clearly defined and reflective of the respective recordings.
The Spectron virtually carves audio scrimshaw at all octaves while providing the power to drive difficult speaker loads with exceptional dynamic range. But dynamics without control is just noise. For all the dynamics displayed by the Spectron, it never ran wild or became harsh. It exhibited absolute control over my speakers where other amplifiers failed. I never experienced listener fatigue (if you dont count the sleep lost by listening to more music instead of going to bed)."
I feel that this reviewer put in words exactly what I feel.
All The Best,
Rafael |
I am using the Egglestons Works Fontaine II - 89db. |
Wlo98 : which speakers are you using ? |
I just got my Musician III SE and wow what can I say right out of the box compared to my BAT VK60 I used before ! I was so concerned about lossing the liquid mid, high and holographic imaging that BAT are well know of. But after I switched to the M3SE, I notice I am not loosing any of these but improved upon on all round. Of course, I do not have to mention anymore on the bass improvement.
Simon said, there may be an upgrade option in the future to upgrade to Vcaps just like the power pac upgrade option provided by BAT for their amp and preamp equipment. I am looking forward to see this will become available in the near future. May be more people showing interests to Simon for this option will make this come sooner ! |
OK, I say.
Just slam it with the power it deserves.
20 amp circuit and then power from your favorite PC.
You tell me.
B |
Chris, your suggestion is somewhat similar to what I suggested to Simon. . . upgraded internal components, bridging to mono via switch (can't degrade sound any more than 'Y' pigtail on speaker wires)(, upgraded metal-work. |
Can you imagine what would happen if Spectron decides to make an upgraded version of the amplifier with state of the art components, like Mundorf caps, Jensen coils, and so on...
And of course: another chassis, made of solid slabs of aluminium, treated with various damping materials. Maybe even an external power supply. It would double the price, but it would be better than two bridged Musician III's. Just kidding...
Chris |
Cford,
Below are the instructions sent to me by Spectron for setting up two Musician III.
Regards,
iSanchez
Procedure: To use Musician 3 Amplifier in Balanced Monoblock Mode
Comment:
Using a Musician 3 in balanced monoblock mode requires one Musician 3 for the left channel and a second Musician 3 for the right channel. Fully balanced monoblock has a common mode rejection of more that 60db. This means that buzz and noise picked up upstream are substantially attenuation. In addition, this block of operation doubles the slew rate and bandwidth by virtue of the out of phase transmission. The distortions also will be greatly diminished. The major advantage is: there will be a noticeable improvement in dynamics and resolution of details in the music as well as liquidity and finesse. Finally, while not necessarily an advantage in every speaker, it triples the power and doubles the head room.
Procedure:
1. Connect the right channel output of the Pre-amp to both inputs of the right channel amplifier. Do the same for the left channel, preamp left channel output to both inputs of left channel amplifier. If the preamp has two output jacks in parallel, run two cables, either RCA or XLR. If the preamp only has one output, a cable with a Y connection at the amplifier's end will be required.
2. Connect the speaker to the two high (red) amplifier's binding posts. By convention, use the right channel of each amplifier for the speaker high (red) binding post. There are no connections to either of the two low (black) posts.
3. Flip the phase switch on the left amplifier channel from in-phase to out-of-phase.
4. Repeat steps 1 - 3 for the second (left channel) amplifier.
5. Reduce volume control to adjust for substantially increased sound pressure
The system is now ready for operation in the balanced monoblock mode
|
Guidocorona,
My Musician III SE took about 200 hrs to break in. The overall sound character (or lack of character) is apparent from day one. The sound will be more detailed, more articulate and more balanced as the burning in continues.
Regards,
iSanchez
|
Can the Spectrons be bridged? As a switching amp, I would think that it is already operating in a bridged mode. This can be checked by (with power off and speakers disconnected) taking an ohm meter and measuring if there is continuity between the 2 channel's low side (Black) terminals. If they are not tied together then it is already in bridge mode. Bridging allows for 2x the voltage to the speaker but no increase in current compared to amps that have the low terminal at ground. Bridged amps (especially switching ones) usually have only 1 (positive) power supply while non-bridged amps have 2 (1 positive V and 1 negative V) supplies that are equal magnitude volts. |
iSanchez, I am particularly interested in hearing about your future findings with 2 Spectrons bridged to mono. Also, what is complete break in time for Spectron Musician 3 Sig? |
I've got mine for about 3 months now. I liked what it does in my system so much that I have a second one coming up in a few weeks. They'll be set in mono-block configuration to drive my Maggies 3.6. This is the most transparent audio gear that I have ever experienced! Right out of the box, one can tell that this is a very special amp. The first thing to notice is the super clean sound, extension and control at both ends of the frequency, and how fast it reacts to input signal. All this turns into glorious sound after the burn-in period.
I can easily say that this is the amp deal of the 21st century!
Regards,
iSanchez
|
I have auditioned the Spectron Musician 3 Signature for several hours at Chang Audio Network (303-470-7077)( owned by Steve Chang (audiogoner SCHANG) in Denver last fall. Words that come to mind when thinking about that wonderful experience with the Spectron are nimbleness, authority, grace, staging, harmonic development, and lack of grain. The only other switching amp that I have enjoyed as much is the Rowland 312. |
The Spectron M3 is better than the M2 in every single way! The bass is even better in that it sounds more organic. The midrange on the M2 has more grain & hardness while the M3 is fully fleshed out and the voices have more body to them. The treble is the biggest improvment, totally grain free and much more transparent. No contest....the M3 spanks the M2! Dump the M2 while you can & get an M3 before word gets out on how much better the M3 is. |
I'm interested in an ASR emitter Darrel. They are supposed to be amazing aren't they? Only in europe though.
Why did you keep the ASR? Is the Spectron much better?
Also for such sensitive speakers isn't the rule of thumb to go with tubes? Only ask as I got some Esoteric Speaker Products Harp speakers and everyone says go with tubes...? :)
Regards
Richard |
Could you please tell me in what ways the Spectron III betters the Spectron II. I own the II and I'm thinking about getting the III.
Thanks |
Not really Darrell, just an "afflicted" audio-nut like the rest of us.
Good to see the list of what other amps you've owned as I am finally learning that the only way to tell if an "impression" or review (pro or otherwise) is worth considering, is by what other components one has owned.
Would be interesting to do a poll to see which of us nut cases has owned the most amps over the years. Seems to be (look at the thread count) the most often changed component in most peoples' systems.
My past amp affairs over the years (just for sh#*ts & grins);
Sansui G22000
Carver M1.5t
Perreaux PMF350
McCormack DNA-1
B&K Sonota M200
CJ Evolution 2000
AMC CVT2100s mono's
Classe CA301
Innersound ESL300
Llano Trinity 400R
Spectron Musician II
ASL Hurricanes
Halo JC-1's
TAS 1000 mono's
Bel Canto EVP 200.2
next...? |
The other amps I've owned: CJ Premier 11, Premier 11A, Orpheus Labs, Sonic Frontiers Power 2, ASR Emitter Exclusive Version Blue (still own), Granite Audio, Spectron Musician 2, Separo 300B, Counterpoint SA220, Counterpoint NPS 400, Arnov Stereo Tube, Kora Galaxy Tube, Mark Levinson 23.5, Sim Audio W5, CJ MF2300, Joule Electra Stargate tube amps, Agape 2A3, Fisher 500C, Holfi NBS, and a few others. I guess this kinda makes me an amp junkie? |
Darrell --
Glad to hear that you grabbed a slice of sonic nirvana with the MkIII. Just for comparisions sake, what other amps have you owned?
Thanks |
I have my III burning in 24/7 with my older "B" system right now. As soon as I hit around 400 hours I will put it into the main system, then I'll get back to you.
Sonny |
