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Need some Tube and Class A SS Suggestions

I recently purchased a pair of Spendor D7s and am just loving these speakers. I have them paired with a musical fidelity KW 500 integrated. The combo is super fast, tight, and dynamic. However, the Spendors can be a bit too revealing in the high frequencies given a harsh or bright recording. This has me headed down the rabbit hole of tube amplification and possibly Class A SS. If the lowest bass is not as tightly defined I'm ok with. It actually may be too tight and defined at the moment. Added warmth in the upper bass would be fine as well. And if I'm going to upgrade then maybe it's time for separates too!

Here are the power amps I'm considering:
  • Primaluna EVO 400
  • Pass Labs XA25
  • Line Magnetic 805IA
  • Schiit Aegir Monoblocks - the price is just too good.
And on to the preamps:
  • Rogue Audio RP-5 and RP-7
  • PS Audio BHK Preamp
Ideally I would find at least one of the two Pre/Power used. I can probably get about $2200 for the musical fidelity so budget would be about $6k or so assuming I can somehow get both items used.

I'm curious to hear if any thoughts on what I've picked out already and if there are other units worth looking.

Thanks!
shahram
shahram OP
115 posts
 
The Backert Labs Rhumba 1.3 has joined the conversation for the preamp. I e-mailed the company and got a prompt reply, so good start there.

Very sexy looking too!
https://backertlabs.com/rhumba-1-3-preamp/

three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@shahram   The Pass is better from top to bottom compared to the Cary.  There is simply more weight, texture, and saturation across the entire frequency range.  There's a blacker background and hence more dynamic range.  Plus the soundstage is much bigger and the imaging is better defined.
1markr
594 posts
 
@shahram 

If you are thinking of matching up the Rhumba with a Pass XA25, let me attest that the combination is fantastic! I have the 1.2 with an XA25, and love it!!
shahram OP
115 posts
 
@1markr 

The sheer number of permutations there are for a pre and power amp combo is staggering. At least you've taken some uncertainty out of one of the combos i'm leaning toward. Thanks for chiming in!
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

See how the Prima Luna’s output transformer has less instability ringing (peaking) from 10khz up when it is loaded down more and more.(green trace)
Prima Luna
https://www.stereophile.com/images/1214PLDPIfig01.jpg

But the D7’s impedance goes higher and higher from 7khz so the peaking will get worse and worse on the Prima Luna.
It would be far better for the D7’s impedance to go down instead of up, to keep the ringing peak down.
Spendor D7
https://www.stereophile.com/images/0415-SD7fig1.jpg

Cheers George
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