Spectral audio today


Hi guys, been a Spectral fan in the early 90s but couldn't afford the gear at the time.I'm wondering how good are the latest Spectral pre-power compared to much more recent top SS brands like Gryphon, CH Precision, Dartzeel, Soulution, Audionet, Boulder, D'agostino, Burmester and so on.Is Spectral still competitive vs modern high end brands ?It is very difficult to audition Spectral gear as they have very little distribution now days.Thanks.
128x128thieliste
Well Spectral is not on my shortlist but who knows if i have a chance to audition in the next few months.My next planned audition in november is Audionet Humboldt and Stern-Heisenberg combo, let’s see how that goes.
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I have Been comparing two preamps the Spectral SV ($15k) and the Gryphon Pandora( $32k)  for almost a month. I don’t have a complete Spectral or Gryphon system yet. I have DCS Rossini and Wilson Alexia 2s. Both transparent and mit cables. I went back and forth between the two and my wife and I both preferred the Spectral SV. I couldn’t believe how good the new spectral gear is. The new SV series is so much better than the older stuff,  (back in the day I owned the DMC 20). Very organic and real sounding. Textures and wood tones are especially good. The Gryphon may have a little more Bass and larger soundstage but not by much. However over all I found the Spectral to be more involving.  I bought the Spectral DMC 30 SV. They now have the 30SV s2 and I hear it’s really something. I know they don’t have the really nice expensive cases but I think that is why they compete with Way more expensive gear. With the Spectral you are paying for the design and parts inside not the box. If you haven’t heard it you need to.  They don’t have the cult following they have for nothing. 
@carey1110 Thanks for your feedback, yes the SV series is the one i'm looking at i also hear it's a big step forward compared to the older series.If you paid 15k for the 30SV well i would have to pay 26k for that same preamp here in Europe that's the sad part.The DMA 300SV is 34k here same goes for d'Agostino gear way over priced.

Since the new SV series 2 has been released you may start to see the original SV coming up on the used market. The SV is way better in my opinion than the older stuff. More organic and natural no brightness at all. The older spectral could sound a little clinical and dry if the setup wasn’t perfect.  The SV series I can listen to for hours. It’s a very clear clean window into the music,  very real and I don’t even have the Spectral amp yet.