I recently auditioned the A7. I have a pair of SP1 at home and found the A7 much more dynamic, but lacking the sweet golden tone of the SP1. I have found the SP1 very much dependent on amplifiers. Originally ran it with a Harman Kardan and its was dull and boring. Got better with my Rega Brio, but came to life with a Leben cs600. Its only weak point is still not so dynamic with classical music.
Spendor D7, D9 but no love Classic 100?
I see plenty of recommendations floating around recent threads for the D7 and D9, but nary a mention of the Classic 100. I wonder why. Are no dealers stocking it for demo?
Last summer I was able to audition extensively the Classic 100 vs. the D7 in same system, same room, same afternoon, same music. The 100 came out on top by some margin. Just a much more natural sound. Never heard the D9 but I imagine it's cut from the same cloth, but goes deeper. The Classic 100 was lively, exciting, dynamic, but also harmonically full and rich and never threadbare. In contrast, there was something in particular about the D7 treble range that made me uncomfortable. As always, YMMV, and indeed, it probably already has.
Last summer I was able to audition extensively the Classic 100 vs. the D7 in same system, same room, same afternoon, same music. The 100 came out on top by some margin. Just a much more natural sound. Never heard the D9 but I imagine it's cut from the same cloth, but goes deeper. The Classic 100 was lively, exciting, dynamic, but also harmonically full and rich and never threadbare. In contrast, there was something in particular about the D7 treble range that made me uncomfortable. As always, YMMV, and indeed, it probably already has.