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Spectral DMA 180 Questions

Hello,

I currently use a Spectral DMA 50 power amp in a system that includes Thiel 1.6, Spectral DMC 15, Krell CD 300, and a project RM 5 running through a mccromack phono pre, with MIT cabling throughout.

I got the DMA 50 used several years ago, and it's fantastic. It was much more informative and fuller than the McCormack dna 0.5 I'd been using with the thiels, and it erased any remaining brightness that was there with the mccormack.

I now have the upgrade bug, and I'm considering replacing the DMA 50 with a spectral DMA 180, given that it has a more evolved design, more power, which might result in better bass and more accurate presentations overall. I've heard that the DMA 180 is on the warm side, as is the DMA 50, and I'd prefer this with the thiels. My questions :

1. What is the difference between the DMA 180 series 1 and 2, sonically?

2. What are the opinions in general of the DMA 180? Should I be considering other spectrals, such as the 100, 150 or 90?

3. As far as warmth, would the DMA 180 be a decent match with the thiel 1.6, which can sound bright with the wrong electronics. In my current setupd, there's no problem with brightness or fatigue.

I listen to rock, classical chamber and orchestral music, and old jazz.
Thanks!
robertd
lawrence_carmel's avatar
lawrence_carmel
14 posts
 
Rumba,
I found the 250 to be more refined then my earlier pair of 360 amps and the 250 is fuller in the bass at low levels. If you were planning on upgrading from your 180 S2 I would go with a 250 or upgrade your pre amp to a 30SL W/Gen2 modules or the new 30SS. If you have a DMC-20 or standard DMC-30. The pre amp upgrade will provide better overall results then a amp change.
rumba
3 posts
 
Hi Lawrence

Wow I'm surprised that the 250 is fuller than the 360. I have a dmc 30sl with gen 1. Did you upgrade to Gen 2 ?

thanks
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
Is it really a MUST to run spectral power amp with Spectral pre ? When I visited Wilson Audio they were using Spectral poweramp and Nagra PL-L tube preamp in their listening room, with all transparent cabling. And the system sounded great !
lawrence_carmel's avatar
lawrence_carmel
14 posts
 
Rumba,
I have not upgraded my 30SL yet. I am in the process of purchasing a replacement for my 3000/2000 CD play back system that I sold. Sense I have been unable to locate a used SDR-4000S CD player, I am looking into a Linn CD12. Once I receive the Linn CD12 I will send the 30 SL back to Spectral for the gen 2 upgrade. The 250 at low level is fuller but at higher levels the 360 is more dynamic do to the higher power. Remember the 360 mono's were a early pair. The current 360 series should have improved.
lawrence_carmel's avatar
lawrence_carmel
14 posts
 
Elberoth2,
The use of a Spectral preamp is not mandatory with the S series of universal amps, 160s, 250s and 360s. They have a input buffer. Running a standard Spectral amp without a Spectral preamp can lead to amp stability issues per Spectral. The standard amps are said to have more resolution. Per my own experience with Spectral I have found that the early preamps,(DMC-10 series, 12, 20 series and the base 30 model were leaner and do not have the refinement of the DMC-15, 30SL,etc. I am not surprised that the Nagra PL-L tube pre sounded great.
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