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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
 
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.
lawrence_carmel's avatar
lawrence_carmel
14 posts
 
Rumba,
If you are using the matching MIT V2.1 rca int with switchable impedance networks,(V1.1,2.1,3.1 etc). I found the 150S2,180S1 and 250 sounded best in the medium position,(40-100k). The 150,180 and 250 per Spectral have a 100k input impedance. The 360 has a 10k input impedance. The specs for the switchable impedance networks are low (5-50k),medium(40-100k), or high(over 90k).
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
Is it recommended to use balanced ICs with Spectral gear ? I've noticed that they have balanced inputs as well.
lawrence_carmel's avatar
lawrence_carmel
14 posts
 
The Balanced inputs can be used with Spectral amps, preamps, etc. Spectral recommends using the rca unless you are running very long int. I have never demoed balanced int with Spectral but have been told by others that you my lose some resolution. There is another thread that discuses this issue.
psacanli
535 posts
 
The 180 is a real powerhouse capable of very refined sound.
It requires decent AC conditioning, but so do nearly all other amps to sound their best.
Mine have revealed increased musical enjoyment with every upgrade I've provided. Feel free to contact me.ATB.
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