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Best $1k Integrated Amp for Spendor S3/5's

Hello, I'm looking into purchasing a preowned set of Spendor S3/5's with a Velodyne sub and wanted to see if anyone has any ideas as to which $1k integrated would work best with them. Some ideas are:

Creek 4330SE or 5330SE, Linn Majik or Classik, MF X-150, or Naim Nait 3 or 5. Also, if going the tube route, Jolida or Cayin look like strong options in that price range.

For the transport, was looking to either go with a Bel Canto Dac 2, MF X10D/PSU, or ART DI/O and Rega Planet as the CDP.

Also, any thoughts on how to build a sub $2500 system by changing any of the above pieces are greatly appreciated.
prorec
restock
831 posts
 
Just a comment on the Unison Unico: I had the Unico for a couple of months,
and I was not very impressed to say the least. I tried a couple of different
tubes in the Unico but compared to the EL34 based Jolida it sounded veiled,
lifeless and boring. I really preferred the built and remote capability of the
Unico but sold it after 4 months and kept the Jolida. Maybe it was just a bad
match to the speakers (the person who sold it to me also used S3/5 but did
not like the Unico), but my wife thought it was the worst sound we ever had
at home. Anyway, it got me to the point to really question professional
reviews like for example Sam Tellig's ...

The Jolida is an amazing amp for the money and worked exceptionally well
with the Spendors. I did not hear the Primaluna or Onix, but heard many good
things about them. The Prima has selfbiasing and a better built which might
make it a better option than the Jolida. Sonically the Jolida is hard to fault at
the price.

All the brands you mentioned should be great to built a sub $2500 system,
now its up to you to find out what you really like...

Enjoy!

Rene
ghunter's avatar
ghunter
164 posts
 
Without a doubt, the Exposure 2010 is among the best choices you'll have. Arguably better than the Nait in PRaT, the S3/5 will enjoy the additional power and you'll see more bass extension and (heaven forbid!) a soundstage. I've had both Naim/Spendor and Exposure/Spendor combinations and wildly prefer the latter.
adasilva
57 posts
 
I have 2 Spendor dealers close by and I reached the conclusion that I really liked Spendors with a tube amp much more than solid state.
ghunter's avatar
ghunter
164 posts
 
Interesting. Which tube amps?
adasilva
57 posts
 
The last demo I had of the Spendors 3/5 and 5e where with a VTL IT-85 ($3k new so it's not in this price ranage). However I liked it much better than the mostly low to moderately expensive solid state amps which I've demoed with Spends. The dealer knew I was not a tube person yet suggested the comparision as he seemed to perfer the spendors with a tube amps also. The tube/solid state comparision did not strike me as much when powering the B&W (which I own).
Either way I think they do sound better with 100+w/ch. I suggest demoing as much as possible. Good luck, Al
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