2. amps-preamps
  3. 156381-8426

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
116 posts
 
@millercarbon
Maybe I am using the term revealing incorrectly. Maybe it's sibiliance in the high frequencies? I don't know, whatever it is it is uncomfortable to my ears at medium or high volume on certain tracks. A good example is the lead guitar on Wilco's Hate it Here. I don't ever remember this song as being bright. But don't get me wrong, this speaker is amazing in literally every other way.

@branches 
Interesting that we are in the same boat here! I'm curious to hear what you end up doing. I'm debating whether I should go all Tube or not. If for the only reason being that it sound fun. Haha.

@almarg 
You know what's funny I ready the same review and didn't quite put two and two together. I could trade in my amp to upscale audio and test out a Primaluna for a while to see if it works. In another thread on the steve hoffman forums about the Spendor D7 someone did comment that they heard the D7 with Primaluna gear at a dealer, which is the reason they bought the D7. So who knows.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,331 posts
 

Hard, bright, etched, edgy, strident, harsh, take your pick.

Put on a recording of massed violins in a symphony orchestra playing in a higher register fortissimo; if you don't want to listen or want to turn the volume down after 5 seconds, you know you've got a problem, however you care to label it.  As far as I'm concerned, this is the ultimate test for tweeters.

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,331 posts
 

Other amps: tubes: look at some of the higher output integrateds from Raven.

Or class A SS: Sugden, Belles, or the standard fall-back, Pass.

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
High frequency distortion is ubiquitous and has many sources. If it was easy to fix everybody could do it. Some things in audio are mysterious and irritating.   
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
The only time I get infrequent high frequency distortion/edge/glare revealed by my D7's is with a digital stream in my system.  It never appears with vinyl. I use an Auralic Vega G1 and I suspect I'd need to move higher up in the market to get something digitally with a more organic presentation.  The thing is that I have zero interest in putting money into a digital front end.  Sure, it sounds pretty dang good but I use it mainly to explore new music and find new ideas for purchase on vinyl...or as background music while I'm working around the house.

I would be curious among this group whether they notice the strident tone only with digital as well.     
More to discover