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Choosing an Amplifier to go with Spendor D7

Looking for an Amplifier to go with my Spendor D7's. I am leaning toward the Pass Labs XA30.8 or X250.8. Open to any suggestions. Where I live there is not anywhere close to go and demo. The pre-amp is a Mcintosh c2600 and been happy with tube pre-amp going into a SS. I listen at moderate volume and looking for a large sound stage with a since of 3-D imaging. The room I have it in has hardwood floors with a rug and is 14x17. The speakers are on the 17' wall. Currently most of the music is digital playing from Qobuz. Mostly listen to Folk, Americana that focuses on acoustical guitar play. Like warm full sound and bass to be balanced and not the focus.  

reverendofpork
ddafoe
259 posts
 
I'm running the 250.8 with my D9s in a (~13x17) room with great results :)

The 250.8 is way more power than I need and I'm tempted to try swapping it out for the X30.8.    I don't think you would need the 250.8 with D7s.

Another interesting option is the Benchmark AHB2.   I'm trying one out for fun and I really like it!   I don't find it offers the 3d presentation of the my Pass and offers a thinner sound, but boy is it clean and life-like in its own way.   It's like a window was cleaned to the sound.   I don't find it analytical or forward with my D9s at all and could certainly live with it long term.   It is punchy and fast too; for $3K I'm a big fan.    I'm using a SimAudio 740P pre and Mojo Audio Mystique v3 R2R DAC so no tubes but nothing too bright or forward in the signal path either.   I did try the Benchmark with an RME ADI 2 FS as well, but still didn't find the sound too bright for the Spendors...

Good Luck with your search; that is one of the many pluses with the D series as they mate well with many reasonably priced amps!

kren0006
1,859 posts
 
OP, 
I have heard the Luxman with some other speakers but not Spendor. It’ll be awhile yet until I make the upgrade. 
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
agree also that naim and hegel should not be overlooked... they are truly excellent, and while not inexpensive, the value equation is rather superior to new luxman pass ayre, if that matters at all
avanti1960
1,500 posts
 
My local dealer insists on using tube amplification with the Spendor D series.  
When I demoed my D7s at his house he was using a Jadis I50 50WPC class A tube integrated that had more balls than a 1000 watt subwoofer.  
Seriously, it drove them with dexterity and strength and the bass was out of this world- all the while retaining the sweet midrange and clear highs tube amps are known for- perfectly balancing the D7 tendencies.  
The also sounded spell binding with my 100 WPC rogue audio cronus magnum ii and ultimately the Stereo 100.   
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