2. amps-preamps
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Working backwards...

After six months of research, auditions, saving, and negotiating with the wife, I have acquired speakers that I’ll be keeping for several years - a pair of Spendor 1/2Es.

Over the next couple years I want to work backwards from these speakers and replace upstream components as funds become available. This is what I’m running right now:

Rotel RCD-1070 CDP
Rotel RA-1070 integrated amp
Proton 420 tuner (don’t laugh, it works just fine)
Spendor 1/2Es w/stands
Tara Labs Phase II speaker cable
Tara Labs RSC Air3 IC
Tara Labs Prism 55i IC
Ernie’s PCK12 power cord

My next acquisition will be to step up to separates. I can spend around $2K on a power amp and I’ve drawn up a list that I am actually looking to pare down to three candidates. I’m especially interested in hearing from anyone here who has run Spendor 1/2Es with any of these SS amps. The candidates are:

Conrad Johnson MF-2250A
Bryston 4BSST
Classe CA200
Krell KSA150
Plinius SA100 MkIII
McCormack DNA225
Mark Levinson 331

While I love the Spendor sound, I do miss some of the bass that I lost trading away my JBLs (maybe there’s a REL in my future), so I probably wouldn’t mind an amp that’s a little aggressive with reasonable slam. I'm assuming that I don't necessarily need a warm sounding amp to go with my Spendors. In addition, I’ll also need a basic (read: inexpensive) preamp to start with and I would appreciate any suggestions (Adcom, Rotel, NAD, or ???).

My living room/listening room is about 18x20’ and carpeted. While I still listen to a lot of classic rock, most of the new CDs I am buying are R&B and jazz.

Sorry for the long post – I would appreciate any educated opinions – Thanks!
ekistler_sj
ehart
215 posts
 
Hi Ekistler,

I think the reason that using pre-out is discouraged here is that the preamp sections people want to use this way aren't that great compared to good dedicated preamps. So I agree that it's a good idea to move to a dedicated pre-amp.

But Rome wasn't built in a day. I think what you are doing with the amp is smart -- stretch to get the best you can. You will hear a difference. Do the same with the preamp in a year or two when you can afford it.

The difference between a used $300 (new $600) and a used $600-$800 (new $1500) preamp is dramatic.

The best test, of course, is to try the pre-outs with a new amp and see how it sounds.

BTW, I have Celestion 300s (older British speakers) and really like the sound with good SS gear (Classe). I tend to like "detail" and bass articulation and the affordable tube gear I've heard doesn't give that. This is of course a matter of huge debate here as you know!

- Eric
gileon
45 posts
 
Unlike B&W's, Spendors aren't exactly current hungry. The 1/2s are a nominal 89 or 90db and present a very stable 8ohms to the amp, meaning you don't exactly need a lot of power. I used to run a McCormack 0.5 dlx on my Spendor 2/3s and liked it well enough until I decided to give this "tube" thing a try. Haven't looked back since, with only 30W available from my Rogue 88 running in triode mode.
Sure, bass is lacking but I don't miss it. Can always put in a sub if I ever feel the need and no way I'm trading the midrange magic for overripe bass.

I biwire my 2/3s and it wasn't a huge leap but an improvement nonetheless.

If you want to stay with SS amp, I'd suggest going with something like an Aleph 3 or the Volksamps Aleph 30 on closeout (the link: www.audiovideologic.com) and save some money and spend what you saved on a pre-amp. Upgrading from a Sonic Frontiers Signature 1s to BAT VK-30 made a huge difference in sound quality for my system.

Anyways, hope this helps.
bob885f
3 posts
 
4bsst, hands down
nortonkp's avatar
nortonkp
3 posts
 
Naim's NAP200 ($2550 retail & includes 1 DIN interconnect) will tighten up the bass on your 1/2Es and it has pace and rhythm to die for. Just add the following:

Naim CDX2 $4950 includes 1 DIN interconnect (HDCD player)
Naim NAC202 w/PSU & HicapII $4775 (Pre-amp with 2 PSU)
Naim NACA5 speaker cable 15' $200

I had system above and believe me it is AWSOME. It will seem as if the band stop by your house. Then you can forget about your equipment and live happily ever after.
blw
147 posts
 
I had some little British box speakers: ProAc Tablettes. I ran them with a Classe CA200, and the pairing was good. The Tablettes didn't need anywhere near that much power. I find each to be slightly on the bright side (the Tablettes more so than the CA-200), and that was the only real issue with the pairing. Bass extension of the Tablettes is impressive for a speaker with a 4.5" woofer, but not extended on an absolute basis (duh!). The CA200 is VERY extended in the bass and delivers tight, controlled bass with ML Odysseys (my current speakers).

I like your idea of using the integrated's pre stage until you can get a better one. Sure it's a compromise, but it's temporary, and you'll end up with a better system this way.
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