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Spendor and Tubes

I thought that I would take a moment to dispel a common misconception about the large Spendor Classic speakers and low power tube amplification. I have been a Spendor Classic fellow since 1980 -- having briefly tried the Harbeth line as well (I prefer Spendor...YMMV). I have owned every speaker in the line and now run the SP100s in my living room and the 1/2Rs in my small dedicated listening room.

I have enjoyed both speakers immensely with the stupendous McIntosh MC352/C2200 combo. But it wasn't until I made the switch to Cary amps that I realized that the speakers, to my ears, sound best with quality tube gear.

The SP100s are now driven by a Cary SLI80 F1, all-triode, 40 wpc. An ACI Titan II sub resides in the corner. Meanwhile, the 1/2Rs by an older 11 wpc Cary SEI300 in a nearfield set-up. No sub required.

I have had audiophile friends with $$$ systems by to listen and they leave shaking their heads in wonderment and bewilderment at what they're doing wrong.

My point? Don't believe everything you read. Yes, the Spendors are a very stable 8 ohm load on an amp. But the synergy with the Cary gear (Morrow Audio SP4 & MA4 cables) is simply breathtaking. Not "sluggish" in the least. Plenty loud when needed. Sublime with all kinds of music from Bach to bluegrass to China Cat Sunflower.

Long live two channel!
jdmeyers77
chashas1
596 posts
 
I'm glad you're happy with your sound, but if driven right, why would you need a sub with the sp-100s? I've never thought they needed a sub if driven with the right amp.
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
Started out with SS 20 yrs ago when I 1st got my Spendor S100's. For the past 7-8 yrs it's been all tube!! Music Reference RM9, Audio Research LS15, Audio Research PH3. Don't know if it's due to my amp being 100WPC but my system has NO PROBLEM ROCKIN'!!!
grimace
624 posts
 
I'm in my third amp pairing with my Spendor S8e's. Currently using a Cary V12R and the speakers have never sounded better. A much better match than the 275 watt Musical Fidelity M3 that was in there before. The speakers, btw, are the only thing in my system that I've never felt the need to replace. Great, great speakers.
jdmeyers77 OP
15 posts
 
Thanks for all the input, folks! As to why I use a quality musical sub to augment the lowest frequencies, the SP100s (even with the mighty 400 wpc Mac amp) do not "plumb the depths" as they say.

If you want to know what you're missing, play Patricia Barber's "Premonition Years" CD (the first five cuts on the red one in the set). Once dialed in, close your eyes and have someone turn the sub on and off (as I used to be able to do with the C2200).

Could I live with the SP100s without a sub? Absolutely. Do they become true full-range giant killers with one properly introduced? Even more absolutely.
jd57's avatar
jd57
18 posts
 
I have been using a CJ premier 11a with my SP100's for years. I also just bought a Rel G1 sub. Love the sub with the SP 100's. But I have the Sp100's way out into the room, and I sit near field, so there is very little natural bass reinforcemnet or wall reflection.  The sub isn't always needed, but with the G1 I have a remote to adjust without getting up. 

I often think about trying a SS amp to tighten up the bass, as it can be loose and a bit sloppy on faster rock/electronic music.

 But tubes and with the right music, the Spendors can create an addictive wrap around totally envelping sound scape. 

So glad to hear from tube loving Spendor fans. 


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