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
jetkitty
53 posts
 
You have listed some interesting choices. Of the amps listed, I have heard SP1/2s driven with the Classe, which (I thought) sounded pretty darn good. I've also heard Spendor SP-100s driven with a Bryston 4BST, which (as I recall) I liked much better, but that system also had a much more expensive CDP and cables.

In my opinion, you probably wouldn't be able to take full advantage of new amplification with your current speaker cables. Think about bi-wiring those Spendors - it does make a SUBSTANTIAL difference.

Good luck!
blueswan
211 posts
 
I recommend upgrading to the Tara Air 2 (or 3). They are a significant improvement over the Phase II and 55i and can be found at half list (or less) right here. IMO a very cost effective upgrade which should allow you to select the correct amp for your Spendors.
ehart
215 posts
 
Here's a thought for you -- continue to use your integrated (via pre-out) as your pre-amp for the time being. That will allow you to wait and save and put the money toward a nicer preamp. The preamps you listed just won't get you that much more than your current integrated, nor realise the potential of the fine amps you are considering.

BTW, I have and like the Classe CA-200. If you go that route, get the newer version with the heatsinks on the side, rather than the older model with the heatsinks on back (this is per Classe, I haven't heard the older model myself).

- Eric
ekistler_sj OP
60 posts
 
Hey people, thanks.

I would like to upgrade my speaker cables, but at the moment my equipment is far away from my speakers, necessitating a 25' cable run. If I upgrade now I'll have to buy (gulp) new. Hopefully, I can wear down the wife's resistance and get my equipment closer to my speakers so I won't need as much cable - maybe then I could look at used stuff and get a better upgrade.

Eric - I did consider using my integrated as a preamp, but in some other threads it seems that that practice is typically frowned upon. Maybe it's not such a bad idea after all. I am toying with the idea of a tube preamp, but I'm not ready to make the commitment to fussing with tubes just yet.

Has anybody else out there run 'British box' speakers with a SS amp? What did you learn/what do you recommend? I would appreciate your comments.
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
You can get very close to a Krell FPB 200 for that price which will be an improvement over the KSA 150.
Good luck.
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