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USHER BE-20 + Spectron Musician III MK2

Hi,
I have Usher BE-20 and looking for a new power amp./ pre-amp., any suggestion?
I did search in the forum and found a recommendation on Spectron Musician III MK2 and Joule-Electra LA-300ME. If I go with both(don't have a chance to audition both at home), what do you think?
My source is EMM Labs DCC2.
Thanks in advance for any comment.

Natty
natty
tubelvr
15 posts
 
Hi Natty,

I am using the Spectron M3 (with Bybees)/Joule Electra LA-300ME combo with Vienna Accoustics The Music speakers and find the pairing to be magical (ICs are Jade Hybrids). I have never heard the Ushers so I can't comment on their sound or how they will interact with the Spectron but I can say unequivocally that the Spectorn/Joule combo works very well. If you do go with the Spectron amp I would also strongly recommend the new Spectron Remote Sensing speaker cables. Simon Thatcher played a major role in their development ane they work synergistically with the Spectron amp (much better than the earlier versions which I also have). As noted above there is a wait list for the LA-300 but it is definitely worth the wait.
natty OP
4 posts
 
Thanks all gentlemen for your great opinion.

I'm also considering Plinius SA Ref.. What do you think?
What's about ARC Ref.3 as pre.?

Cheers....
dob
577 posts
 
If 200 lbs weight and generated heat does not bother you then Plinius Reference is a great amp. One of the best around. A touch better then Spectron in highs and touch worse then Spectron in the bass and slam areas. Midrange, I much prefer Spectron but with Bybee filters only. Without Bybees - if I recall well, both are about the same (except weight and heat)

ARC Ref.3 - no comparison with BAT REX or Joule-Electra LA-300 or VTL 7.5, in my totally subjective opinion. Dry, no life-like presentation which you will need so much combining your tube preamp with transistor amp be it Spectron or Plinius.

All The Best
Rafael
natty OP
4 posts
 
Spectron Mono Block vs Plinius SA Ref. Will Spectron be a lot better?

BE-20 is very very good in high and mid so I'm quite reluctant to jump into Spectron.

BAT REX is over my budget so I have to wait for LA-300ME then.

Thanks
bostonbean
241 posts
 
The Joule/Spectron is a known combination and is considered by many to be ideal. The Spectron amp does take awhile to fully break-in...ideally a 1000 hours. If you can swing it I would highly recommend the V-cap and Bybee upgrades. That would be the ultimate.

Regarding Mr. Moskowich's comments regarding BAT preamps...where do people come up with this stuff?
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