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Spendor and Tubes

I thought that I would take a moment to dispel a common misconception about the large Spendor Classic speakers and low power tube amplification. I have been a Spendor Classic fellow since 1980 -- having briefly tried the Harbeth line as well (I prefer Spendor...YMMV). I have owned every speaker in the line and now run the SP100s in my living room and the 1/2Rs in my small dedicated listening room.

I have enjoyed both speakers immensely with the stupendous McIntosh MC352/C2200 combo. But it wasn't until I made the switch to Cary amps that I realized that the speakers, to my ears, sound best with quality tube gear.

The SP100s are now driven by a Cary SLI80 F1, all-triode, 40 wpc. An ACI Titan II sub resides in the corner. Meanwhile, the 1/2Rs by an older 11 wpc Cary SEI300 in a nearfield set-up. No sub required.

I have had audiophile friends with $$$ systems by to listen and they leave shaking their heads in wonderment and bewilderment at what they're doing wrong.

My point? Don't believe everything you read. Yes, the Spendors are a very stable 8 ohm load on an amp. But the synergy with the Cary gear (Morrow Audio SP4 & MA4 cables) is simply breathtaking. Not "sluggish" in the least. Plenty loud when needed. Sublime with all kinds of music from Bach to bluegrass to China Cat Sunflower.

Long live two channel!
jdmeyers77

Showing 2 responses by jdmeyers77

jdmeyers77 OP
15 posts
 
Ah yes, I figured this humble post would bring out some folks! I agree: "No rules in this game." It's all about synergy and matching a system to fit what sounds best to your own ears, IMHO.

Like I said, I thoroughly enjoyed the SP100s for several years with the Mac gear. Ditto the 1/2s. But I listen to mostly classical, acoustic, jazz, folk -- the very music that Spendor Classics are especially adept at presenting in such a fashion that it melts the soul with its beauty. Were I a huge fan of Led Zeplin cranked to rattle the windows, I'd have different speakers.

IMHO, if you're passionate about your Spendor Classic (or Harbeth) and you haven't tried a really good small tube amp, borrow one. Then give your ears a day or two to adjust to the sound. It could be right for you. It was for me.
jdmeyers77 OP
15 posts
 
Thanks for all the input, folks! As to why I use a quality musical sub to augment the lowest frequencies, the SP100s (even with the mighty 400 wpc Mac amp) do not "plumb the depths" as they say.

If you want to know what you're missing, play Patricia Barber's "Premonition Years" CD (the first five cuts on the red one in the set). Once dialed in, close your eyes and have someone turn the sub on and off (as I used to be able to do with the C2200).

Could I live with the SP100s without a sub? Absolutely. Do they become true full-range giant killers with one properly introduced? Even more absolutely.
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