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Plinius 9200 with Spendor s8e?

Has anyone heard this combination? I'm thinking about replacing my Cary V12r and Audible Illusions Mod3a with an integrated amp. I'd like to clean up my listening space, as well as try a higher powered amp with the Spendors.

I've read great things about the s8e's with Musical Fidelity components, but nothing about Plinius. I found only one poster who found the combination to be "muddy". I use a Musical Fidelity A5 CD player, if that matters.

Gary
garyralph
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
i think you should go for an ss amp to use with your tube pre. plinius would be very good. the urge to simplify will hopefully go away. you've got a great system(classic components), but the spendors do love as much power as you can give them.
bojack
677 posts
 
Honestly, what you have now is a killer combination, and I would think long and hard about replacing anything . . . unless the sound is just fundamentally wrong. I think the S8e's sound better with tubes, as their bass is naturally accurate (no need to turn to SS for excellent bass) and their tweeter is neutral. Plus, you will surely lose that wonderful AI air that I have only heard AI create w/Spendors.
garyralph OP
53 posts
 
The midrange sounds fantastic. I have no real complaints about the bass, but it might be nice to get more presence there. My main issue is that the treble is rolled off and lacking in detail. Since recently buying these speakers, I am reacquainting myself with some of my older l.p.'s, and noticed this last night. Some of the tinkly little percussive instruments that were prominent on my Totem 1's, were just lost in the mix on my S8e's.

I was wondering if more wattage would help bring this upper-level detail out. Maybe a faulty assumption. The idea of a ss amp with the AI preamp does sound intriguing, though. I might see what's available on Audiogon, and live with both amps for awhile. Any alternete amp recommendations? What about re-tubing the V12r?
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