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
 
I am in the same boat here.
I have upgraded my system. Currently have a Linn Majik DSM (w/ amp and volume turned off) that feeds a Pass Labs XP-20 preamp and a 250 watt Bryston 4BSST-2 power amp. I have new demo Spendor D9s. Playing vinyl sounds awesome but certain digital recordings can have too much steel edge and grain. The middle and the bass are superb though.
Did some reading and it might be that the Bryston is a poor match with the Spendors. I was going to replace it and then Covid-19 hit. This is a remote location on a small island. So I have postponed replacing the amp with a warmer SS or tube base amp.
But then it hit me: the sound is changing! Very, very noticeable: the highs are softer and more detailed with less reaching for the volume than I did when I first installed the Spendors. I have also been playing with the Linn Space Optimization system. Getting a better result with time and experimenting with the created Linn profile.

So, I am glad I did not rush out and get a new amp. I am in no rush to do so now. I will keep playing the Spendors and listening to their changing sound. I will then get a new amp as a test. No rush though. Who knows how this will work out?

Bottom line: I was somewhat on the fence with component & speaker break in periods? But these Spendors are opening up like a fine wine in a decanter...
Hey Photomax. Looks like fellow Spendor owners are following each other around on the internet :). I’m on the same Steve Hoffman thread as well!
photomax
174 posts
 
Lol!

I spent a lot of time investigating speakers before I purchased my Spendors. Then came buyers remorse and doubts. But with each passing week I am liking them more and more...
shahram OP
116 posts
 
I spent a lot of time investigating speakers before I purchased my Spendors. Then came buyers remorse and doubts. But with each passing week I am liking them more and more...
Yes the wine analogy is really on point. But I also wonder how much is the speaker breaking vs. the brain being broken in. I think it's a combo of both.
shahram OP
116 posts
 
I would pair a Prima Luna tube amp with a Prima Luna tube preamp.  System synergy is key.
I wish I could, but my rack just doesn't have space for two 8 inch tall devices. And my apartment is very limited so a taller rack won't work either. One of either the preamp or poweramp needs to be like less 6.5 inches tall :(
shahram OP
116 posts
 
Other than the XA25 mentioned above, I recommend you check out the Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 600. I listened to it recently with Spendor D9s, a very pleasing result. I imagine it would sound just as good with the D7s if not better
Interesting suggestion. My Musical Fidelity has similar tubes in the preamp as does the the Nu-Vista 600. I wonder how similar they sound. 
More to discover