2. amps-preamps
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Spectron Musician III - Can anyone comment on it?

I am currently on the hunt for a pair of amplifiers that have massive peak power capability with excellent micro dynamics and neutral presentation. I am driving a pair of Martin Logan Statement E2's

The Spectron Musician has been reviewed exceptionally well everywhere I looked and seems to fit the bill but I just can't get over 25 years of snobbery telling me to avoid switching amps because linear amps just sound better and, hey, the name on the faceplate ain't Krell or Mark Levinson!

Can I PLEASE get a few people with experience listening to these amps tell me why I should or shouldn't buy them?

I desperately want to buy a pair of the BAT VK-600SE's since I own mostly all BAT equipment but to produce, say, 110db peaks one would comfortably need several thousands watts of power in the bucket to meet the challenge. I don't think the BAT amps have that under the hood.

Advice?
sashua
dob
577 posts
 
Hello David,

"I heard the Spectron in monoblock configuration today at RMAF...."

In what room??? It is extremely important as if you auditioned in room 9007 with Audio Analyses speakers then its OK (except low level Modwright preamp - 9.0).
If you listen in room 1004 (10th floor)with SP Tech speakers then even with Modwright 36.5 preamp - my understanding is that the dealer could not set up system properly and presentation was just poor or worse....sorry. Its the lesson to Spectron NOT TO TRUST UNQUALIFIED dealers. Mike Garner from TweekGeek is very, very nice guy but until he got Spectron account the best he had was NuForce and even not v2.

At any rate who cares!

iSanchez - many thanks for the link. So its not $22k speakers or $14k amp but.....Bybees made the sound. What a journal, what an observation. Thanks

All The Best
Rafael
Ag insider logo xs@2x
isanchez
276 posts
 

You're welcome Rafael. This is a list that Mike Garner posted in another website for everybody's reference. I added what was missing from this list (•).

Room 9007

- Spectron monoblock amplifiers featuring Remote Sense loudspeaker cables from Elrod.
- Modwright 9.0 preamplifier.
- Analysis Audio Omega planar loudspeakers.
- Modified Slim Devices music server.
- Bybee Wire AC conditioner.
- BybeeWire cables.
• Stereovox Reference Interconnects.
• Elrod Remote Sense Speaker Cables.

Room 1004

- Spectron monoblock amplifiers with Bybee mods.
- Modwright 36.5 preamplifier.
- SP Technology Revelation loudspeakers.
- Modified Slim Devices music server.
- Synergistic Research PowerCell AC conditioner.
- Synergistic Research ARC Analog Room Correction system (live demos).
- Synergistic Research TESLA interconnect, speaker and AC Cables.

Best,

iSanchez
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
Yes, room 1004 was not great, but I credit that to the setup of the SPs. It was very easy to hear that the Spectrons were doing a great job and certainly not grossly colored as suggested by Argyro.

Dave
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
I also preferred Spectrons in room 907 over 1004. I perceived a greater ease to the presentation. Although my favorite by far is still last year's set up at Steve Chang place using SP speakers, H-Cat and his old CDp IN HIS ADMITTEDLY EXCELLENT ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT. This year's constant was Modright as linestage. . . and i SUSPECT I may not be fond of Modright pres, as MOST listenings of this brand OF PRES SUGGESTS that Modright timbre may be shifted just slightly more to the treble than i ENJOY. I am looking forward to listening to the excellent Spectrons again under more favorable conditions. G.
dob
577 posts
 
Hello Guido
Both rooms have different Modwright preamps.
9007 had lower level 9.0 and room 1004 had higher level 36.5 Plus Spectrons in room 9007 were pure stock whereas in room 1004 they had expensive Bybee upgrade ($4k retail?). Still sound in 9007 was two heads better then that in 1004. Its Spectron fault - they should not trust inexperienced (but very nice ) dealer and come themselves for set up! Simon promised....

You did not answer the most interesting question for me - knowing whatever you know about Spectron - do you still prefer Jeff Rowland 312?

Thank you
Rafael
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