Ideal Amplification for Spendor SP2/3a speakers?

[ZenArcher]

Hello all,
I very much love my Spendor SP2/3a speakers, which I currently use in the following system:

Sony CE775 SACD/CD player
Braun Atelier P1 turntable with Grado Red cart
Conrad-Johnson PV-1 preamp (serial number 75!)
Assemblage SET 300B amplifier

But...I feel I'm not doing them justice. With the golden hues of the c-j and the amp, I fear I'm too much on the gooshy side. Sometimes it's wonderful, but I find myself listening mainly to music that sounds good on the system. I'd like something a little livelier and more even-handed.

If I were to spend, say $2000 on new amplification, what would be your recommendation? I do like tubes, would go solid state, but I'm aiming for a more balanced sound. Buying used is no problem at all.

My room has a high ceiling and is pretty live, FWIW.

If it has to lean one way, I like a slightly romantic and intimate sound, more like a wet kiss than a firm handshake ;) But musicality and basic neutrality is my goal.

Ideas? Many thanks...

[vinyl anachronist]

Naim is a wonderful match for Spendor speakers.

[bhazen]

I agree with vinyl anachronist; Naim's perceived "lean" tonal balance fits nicely with the sweet warmth of the Spendor family. I wouldn't drive Spendor with warm'n'fuzzy American tube kit, generally speaking.

[ZenArcher]

How are the low-end Naim integrateds, like the 5i? Does a good phono stage come as an option, or would I be better off with an outboard phono stage?

[vinyl anachronist]

The NAIT 5i does not have a built-in phono stage. You have to buy a Stageline and a power supply, which ups the price a bit. But it's a really nice set-up.

Find a Naim NAIT 2 (which has a nice MM section built-in) used for a few hundred bucks, though, and you might be amazed at how little money it takes to make those Spendors sing.

Exposure and Sugden are two other alternatives to Naim.

[Metralla]

A 300B SET is not the right sort of amp for those speakers. I'd ask Ric Schultz to build me an amp. $800.

http://www.tweakaudio.com/EVS-2/Amp_page.html

[ZenArcher]

Naim gets good reviews with Spendors, but I'm not sure I want to deal with the DIN issue. If I were starting from scratch, Naim would be the way to go.

I've always been intrigued with the Sugden A21 (now the A21a). I see a used AU 41 set online; is that a decent choice as well?

[vinyl anachronist]

I really like the A21, and I think it has an optional phono stage that is really nice, but only a couple of hundred dollars extra. This might come in under your budget.

I haven't heard the A21SE yet, but Jeff reviewed it for TONEAudio and loved it. It's a lot more money, though. I haven't heard the AU 41, either.

I'd check out the Exposure 2010S, too, which is only $1250 and has an optional phono stage. It's really a special little amp.

[kevinsinnott]

I've never heard the Spendor models you mention, but I drive my S100s quite nicely using single ended triodes, specifically 2A3s. I've never heard them using transistors, but aren't Naim's marketed as tube-like transistors (honestly don't recall)?

At any rate, I consider the sound I get to be very balanced, although I don't claim to be a "balanced" listener.

Has anyone heard both Spendor models enough to describe any differences?

[bhazen]

Rega's amps are transistor amps, that could be described as "tube-like".

Naim amps are just, well,...:nauga:

[vinyl anachronist]

I've never heard the Spendor models you mention, but I drive my S100s quite nicely using single ended triodes, specifically 2A3s. I've never heard them using transistors, but aren't Naim's marketed as tube-like transistors (honestly don't recall)?

At any rate, I consider the sound I get to be very balanced, although I don't claim to be a "balanced" listener.

Has anyone heard both Spendor models enough to describe any differences?

I owned a pair of SP100s for many years, and drove them with a variety of amps, such as a Naim NAIT 2, a Naim NAIT 5i, a Naim NAP140, an LFD Mistral, a Scott 299B, Quad Classic II monoblocks, a Marantz 2238B, a Luxman R1040, and all sounded pretty nice.

The SP2/3s are very similar to the SP100s sound-wise, but work better in small rooms. The SP100s can definitely overload a room with bass and need room to breathe.

[motorcitydave]

Maybe one of the smaller Brystons? 2BSST or 3BSST.

[ZenArcher]

As an experiment, I replaced my preamp and amp with an old McIntosh MAC 1700 receiver (given to me by a cable installer who "didn't listen to music." He saw my system and said this receiver had been kicking around in the back of his van for a few months, I might want it!). Though the Spendors probably outclass the MAC, I'm hearing some things I like.

It's clear now that my previous amplification was squashing dynamics; much more swing from soft to loud now. It's kind of startling. And I'm hearing a lot more detail in the bass and lower midrange.

I do miss those "tube moments" - when a certain sound or musical line seems to present itself with that uncanny reality. But overall, this is an improvement.

Think I'll live with this for a while before I consider my next move, let my ears regain their bearings. Maybe I'll end up with a pretty neutral tube preamp and a solid-state amp (or the other way 'round).

Thanks for the advice; I'm on my way.

[vinyl anachronist]

Naim gets good reviews with Spendors, but I'm not sure I want to deal with the DIN issue.

I just reread this part...the NAIT 5i has both RCA and DIN jacks.

[vinyl anachronist]

As an experiment, I replaced my preamp and amp with an old McIntosh MAC 1700 receiver (given to me by a cable installer who "didn't listen to music." He saw my system and said this receiver had been kicking around in the back of his van for a few months, I might want it!). Though the Spendors probably outclass the MAC, I'm hearing some things I like.

It's clear now that my previous amplification was squashing dynamics; much more swing from soft to loud now. It's kind of startling. And I'm hearing a lot more detail in the bass and lower midrange.

I do miss those "tube moments" - when a certain sound or musical line seems to present itself with that uncanny reality. But overall, this is an improvement.

Think I'll live with this for a while before I consider my next move, let my ears regain their bearings. Maybe I'll end up with a pretty neutral tube preamp and a solid-state amp (or the other way 'round).

Thanks for the advice; I'm on my way.

I like the 1700, and I'm thinking about getting one for a second system! It's funny, but I almost recommended something like that to you for the Spendors.

[vinyl anachronist]

I just thought of another great match with Spendor..the Unison Unico integrateds. I think you can get the regular Unico with a phono stage for less than $2000. This has always been a favorite of mine in this price range, especially the Unico SE, which is about a grand more.

[Barry Wom]

You should definately try some reasonably powerful valve amps. Prima Luna Prologue 2 is an obvious choice.

Sugden would also be a good match

[visprashyana]

Go with the Naim because you need something to break through the musical nature of the speakers. You can't add more syrup to the combination because they are already a very musical and "darker" sounding speaker. You need to lighten them up and then you will start tapping your toes. They often exhibit them in the UK with Naim electronics so we're not just coming up with this out of our . . .

Don't worry about DIN plugs, just listen to the stuff and you will be dancing and not falling asleep with the CJ/SET/Spendor combo. If you like that combo, then you like it, but it would put me to sleep because it is too slow and dark.

[Metralla]

Naim are terrible value in the USA. Well, so are Spendors for that matter, I don't believe Naim is a cost effective solution here. What they do in the UK is a different situation.

[ROLO46]

Quad II's from the Bay.

Traindriver

[visprashyana]

Naim are terrible value in the USA. Well, so are Spendors for that matter, I don't believe Naim is a cost effective solution here. What they do in the UK is a different situation.

What's the problem with Naim value? You don't think a $1700 integrated amp or preamp, cd player, or amp at these prices isn't value? Have you listened to them or read the reviews? Their new SuperNait is also a great value. I can tell you if you ever head to Salisbury and spend some time at their plant, then you will understand where your money goes and why it lasts forever and has a high resale value. I think I am paying for R&D, transistor matching and other crazy specific Naim attributes, a significant warranty, a well made product, a product that is tested a number of times before it leaves the plant, it sounds unique, and a living wage for people in the UK along with the US importer. I don't seem to have an issue with the value portion as everything seems to be in order.

[vinyl anachronist]

What's the problem with Naim value? You don't think a $1700 integrated amp or preamp, cd player, or amp at these prices isn't value? Have you listened to them or read the reviews? Their new SuperNait is also a great value. I can tell you if you ever head to Salisbury and spend some time at their plant, then you will understand where your money goes and why it lasts forever and has a high resale value. I think I am paying for R&D, transistor matching and other crazy specific Naim attributes, a significant warranty, a well made product, a product that is tested a number of times before it leaves the plant, it sounds unique, and a living wage for people in the UK along with the US importer. I don't seem to have an issue with the value portion as everything seems to be in order.

Agreed! Naim is a great value in the US. The NAIT 5i was only $1425 when I bought it two years ago, and it's just a little more now. The n-Vi is an all-in-one system that sounds as good as complicated, multi-component surround systems costing many times the price! I think my Naim CDX2 competes with CD players that cost twice as much.

I agree that Spendor and Harbeth are no longer as competitive in the US marketplace as they used to be. But I can think of no $1500 integrated that comes close to the NAIT 5i.

[ZenArcher]

Luckily, I purchased my SP2/3e's for US$900 a few years back, so that investment is behind me.

I do appreciate all the suggestions. Naim's still in the running, believe me!

[antonkk]

Well, I bought Spendors 2/3 this June and run them with McIntosh 2200/275. Luckily I didn't read comments about "too much syrup" etc when I was making the purchase - the combination sounds neither slow nor oversweetened. Just 3dimensional, holographic and powerful.:wave: But then again I didn't even want to take Naima and audition it home (despite all the reviews and recommendations) because I simply hate the way it looks...:shh: :D

[ZenArcher]

Well, I bought Spendors 2/3 this June and run them with McIntosh 2200/275. Luckily I didn't read comments about "too much syrup" etc when I was making the purchase - the combination sounds neither slow nor oversweetened. Just 3dimensional, holographic and powerful.:wave: But then again I didn't even want to take Naima and audition it home (despite all the reviews and recommendations) because I simply hate the way it looks...:shh: :D

Enjoy your speakers! Love mine...

I've decided to save up for McIntosh tube amplification. I tried various solid-state amps, and there's just something about tube amplification I can't do without.