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Spendor S8e Amp Suggestions.

I'm looking to buy a new amp - likely tubes - to drive my Spendor S8e's. I've heard these speakers really sing with as little as 50 watts, so I'm comfortable that an amp with between 70 - 100 watts would do fine. For those of you driving the older style SP series speakers, please keep in mind that the S series is a very different animal. Could anyone comment on the following amps as mates to these speakers:

Cary v12 series - I've read that the SLI80 integrated is NOT a good match, but haven't heard anything about the V12.

ARC VT100 series

Mac MC275V

Any of the Prima Luna monos.

Any other great suggestions. Pre-amp is yet undetermined. I'm rebuilding this around the amp and speakers. I'll figure out the pre next. Thanks!
grimace
rdavwhitaker
173 posts
 
I have used S5es, which are the little brother to your 8es, quite succesfully with a VTL ST-150. The two make an excellent pairing.

I have also used them with a CJ MV60SE -- not quite as much power as you are contemplating, but oh my, what a marvelous combination.
Post removed 
grimace OP
624 posts
 
That's the same response that the pairing with the SLI80 had, and they noted the brightness, but I have heard these speakers sound great with tubes. I'd really like to hear from people who are using the speakers in that setup. Reading theoretical measurements isn't exactly what I was looking for.
jafox
1,456 posts
 
Assuming the S8e (which I owned for a few years) has an impedance curve similar to the S5e (quite likely), using a tube amp will be less than optimal.
Interestingly, I would say otherwise. Tube amps maintain a greater constant power output over a wider impedance range. This is why they are more often mated with Electrostatic speakers like Sound Labs which have a high impedance down in the lower frequency range.

From the experience as reported by Grimace, tube amps seem to work quite well here.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,674 posts
 
I had those speakers paired with Quicksilver midmono's (50 watt)and they are a perfect match.
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