Spectral preamps

I'll expand my comments a bit having read the previous posts. Back in the '90s I used to visit George Merrill's Undergraound Sound store in Memphis. I was in graduate school at a nearby university and although I didn't have the funds to make any significant purchases, George was always gracious enough to let me spend a lot of time in his Spectral room. I must have gotten to listen to every Spectral product and I liked them all. I don't recall any emphasis on a particular part of the frequency spectrum. I enjoyed listening to music through all of the systems, and a soundstage that extended beyond the room walls.

I didn't get to know all of George's staff, but the ones I did get to know were all tube guys. I found their banter with George amusing although I was too inexperienced to understand it. One of the staff took me to his setup where he had a Spectral preamp (I don't recall the model number but I think it was a model 20 - I do recall that it was the $7500 preamp - the same one George had on his big rig). Anyway, he had the preamp connected to some recently released Marantz commemorative tube amps. I didn't listen to his system long, but I recall that it sounded pretty good.

My present home system is an all tube rig, but I still think about that Spectral preamp/tube amp setup. I doubt I'll ever get to try it, but the idea of the big Spectral preamp driving a VAC Renaissance 70/70 amplifier (if that is even possible) and my Silverline Bolero speakers resides in the back of my thoughts.

One final comment, however, is that I would not be inclined to buy a component at the price point we are discussing without hearing it first, at least in the shop, whether it's a "controversial" pairing or not. And whenever possible, I want to hear the component in my home.

Thank you all for the helpful advice. Based on what I've read, Spectral looks like a good option for a number of reasons. I will try to listen to their gear at a dealer. It's good to know that I can start with a preamp and go from there; I'm considering the 30SL pre and 260 stereo amp.

Paul (Punwin), are you using the MIT Z Powerbar with Oracle Z3 powercords? If so, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on how the Powerbar may affect the sound, and whether you have compared it to other power products. Thanks!

Spectral is to be used in a complete system. You really have to go all or none.

I was going to try a Spectral preamp as well---but its just not an optimal setup without the amps.

There are benefits to this---but the big problem is if you decide to change routes, your entire system has to be put up for sale.

As far as sound---its whitish to me and sterile as an entire system. That is why I was hoping just a preamp could be a great solution.

>>> "This, to me, was a product, after having been so anxious to hear it left me very disappointed...to the point of wondering what 'all the shoutin' was about.' For those fans of Spectral, is there some magic combination of equipment that shows off what Spectral can do? "

Yes and it includes high quality speakers - w/o a reference to what you heard we fans can't be really sure why you heard what you heard. So, for example, if you are used to speakers which tend to emphasize treble because they are meant to be paired with amps that roll-off highs (perhaps because the amps can't get the highs right), then switching to electronics that can get the treble right may sound too bright, and rightly so.

So when anyone says I heard X COMPONENT and the sound was such and such, there really is not enough context around it to say anything. Suggest you also discuss this at the [unofficial] Spectral forum at http://whatsbestforum.com

I just switched from an Nagra preamp and am to Spectral 30ss and 260 amp. More transparent and I can hear small changes in cable/source. Not standard solid state. Very liquid, open, defined stage. I'm very happy with the change.