2. amps-preamps
  3. 170131-98013

Recommendation for a highly resolving amp

I have Don Sachs 2 tube preamp driving Pass Labs X350.5 driving Sound Lab M545 ESL speakers. I like the sound very much, but when I went to hear my friend’s Spectral system (driving Quad2912 ESL) I realized my system can benefit from having a higher resolution amp. Spectral amps need all Spectral preamp/cabling, which would be quite expensive. What would you recommend?
128x128chungjh
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,753 posts
 
My friend is a Spectral man, so he recommends a complete Spectral system. Along with all the MIT cables.
Of course he would. But its not the best amp to use on Sound Labs IMO and IME. The best Sound Lab installations I've seen have used Purist Audio Design cables FWIW.
chungjh's avatar
chungjh OP
265 posts
 
@atmasphere,

My friend uses his Spectrals to drive Quad ESLs and it sounds great. Would Soundlab ESL be that different than Quad?

@jdane, by resolution I mean clarity and realism. Like ultra high definition TV vs regular HD TV.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,753 posts
 
My friend uses his Spectrals to drive Quad ESLs and it sounds great. Would Soundlab ESL be that different than Quad?
Depending on the Quads, yes.
jdane
183 posts
 
@jdane, by resolution I mean clarity and realism. Like ultra high definition TV vs regular HD TV.
Thanks.  Seems that a number of these terms are being used here simply as variations of "good."   I don't see any clear distinction among them.


pwdmark's avatar
pwdmark
33 posts
 
Maybe, just maybe your excellent amp needs a tune up. The .8 series is 8 or 9 years old, the .5's obviously older. Nelson is as good as they get. I would still have my 250.5 if I had room.
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