Warm Tube Amp(s) to Tame Hyper-Accurate Speakers?


I have these Spendor D9.2's mated to an MC275 VI and the mids and highs are still too much, sometimes.  Sometimes the sound is sublime based on the recording, sometimes harsh.  I imagine perhaps Focal and B&W folks know what I speak of, maybe not Magico owners.  Even using a C2700 tube pre-amp.  Can this be solved with a WARM tube amp, and if so, which ones?  I like my MC275 VI but I am open to suggestions.

alphonsodamato

I hate to burst your bubble but I doubt anything is going to change those Spendors. I have owned many Spendors and they never had an aggressive high end. I would say that the newer D type Spendors are the problem that you describe. I think you will be spinnin’ your wheels changin’ gear. BTW, I always liked any Spendor that I’ve owned!

Spendor D9.2 Floorstanding Speakers

Features:
*Spendor LPZ (Linear Pressure Zone) tweeter*
The goal of every tweeter designer is to achieve linear acoustic output over a wide frequency range. In practice this is extremely difficult. Spendor’s approach to this age‐old challenge is radical, and it works. The Spendor LPZ tweeter is built around a stainless steel front plate which forms a damped acoustic chamber directly in front of a lightweight woven polyamide diaphragm. The front plate incorporates a phase correcting micro foil to equalise sound wave path lengths across the diaphragm surface, simultaneously it generates a symmetrical pressure environment on both faces of the tweeter diaphragm so the tweeter operates in a balanced linear mode. The front plate also provides excellent mechanical protection for the delicate tweeter dome and a smart modern appearance. Imagine focusing an ultra‐high quality camera lens until you see a clear bright image. That’s the effect of Spendor LPZ technology. Our sequential geometry micro‐foil operates like an acoustic lens. The result is perfect focus, uninhibited sound transmission and a very wide listening window. Sound images are vivid, in‐the‐air, as bright or sweet as any music demands.

 

 

 

I second other poster’s comment on cables, without knowing what cables you are using, power, interconnect and speaker, no one can tell you why things are off. Another high probability is speaker placement in the room and toe in, it’s very likely you have placed the speakers in the right spot for the bass to couple to your room, therefore tonal balance is off

Even Spendor D9.2 drivers would benefit from grounding wires. Don't believe me? That's okay, but do try it and I'm sure you'll be bewildered and amazed. Those troublesome sources that sound harsh will suddenly be fine.

Drivers

If a Conrad Johnson amp can't fix it then you should ditch the speakers. Having said that way back I had a pair of Spendor BC1s and still rate them highly. Maybe things have changed at Spendor.

+1 @hilde45 on room acoustics. Often neglected but it is what will make it or break it. Good luck.