Congrats! I’m really jealous of your deal…
You said you intend to use a ss amp with them, but, if you’re not religious about this stuff (and maybe have the option to comparison shop?), the Stirlings sound fantastic with tubes.
Advice on Sterling LS3/6
I learned on a UK Spendor forum that Derek Hughes is retiring and closing down Sterling Broadcast. They are clearing out inventory at excellent prices - mostly LS3/5a V2 and V3, but also a few other models. I'm looking at the LS3/6. The regular price for the LS3/6 is $6000/pair and the sale price is $3300 (plus $600 shipping to the US).
One pair of LS3/6 have been shipped to Jeff Stake, a dealer in Indiana. I told Jeff I may be interested, but I've never heard them. I could drive down to audition them (I live in Chicago) but I thought I'd check on Agon to see if others have experience with them.
I currently have Spendor SP3/5 R2 speakers in a small room. The LS3/6 would go in a new listening room, 17x23 ft. I will be using them with Bacch4Mac and a solid state amp (undecided, but probably Starcrimson monoblocks). Qobuz is the source, over a Bluesound streamer with LPS and English 8 switch. I'll use the Bacch's RME DAC. I like vocals (Melody Gardot), Argentine Tango (Gotan Project), Van Morrison, Duke Ellington. Seldom crank it up.
To my mind, the real alternative is a Harbeth 30.x or C7ES3. At Axpona I heard a Spendor Classic series (not sure which) that I really liked but the cost is beyond my budget (over $10k). Any comments would be welcome.
Latest review of the Stirling LS3/6 is from The Absolute Sound (where the retail price is listed as $9995):
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I'm a tube guy but I wouldn't be in a hurry to find a tube amp for those under $2000. ;-) I used to own the Spendor LS3/5's and I found they mated well with a very well-restored vintage tube amp of around 30 wpc. I've heard other Spendors with similar vintage tube amps and receivers, and they worked nicely. You might keep your eyes open for a *professionally* restored Eico HF-87, or a Fisher or Scott receiver. Some Fisher 100AZ's would be lovely, or a Marantz, but $$$! And you need to know what you're buying. But as I said, don't just buy any old budget tube amp. Just my .02. |
@yogiboy The reason for looking for a new power amp is that I've implemented the Bacch4Mac system. Edgar recommended that I not use the Gan1 even though I upgraded the RME interface to enable a coax out. Long story. Suffice it to say, I need an amp that accepts analog input, preferably balanced. @dogearedaudio I will keep an eye out for a used Eico. However, I am very intrigued about perhaps using a restored Fisher or Scott receiver. I'm in Chicago and have an excellent guy who specializes in restoring vintage audio equipment. Thanks for the suggestions. |
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