2. amps-preamps
  3. 1260295563

Berkeley direct to Spectral Amp?

Is it safe to use a Berkeley Alpha DAC run directly to a Spectral DMA 180? Spectral of course states that the amp should only be used with a Spectral preamp and MIT cables due to the high band width and possible oscillation. I do use all MIT cables but would like to run the BADA straight, as recommended by Berkeley. I also do not want to see smoke coming from the amp or my speakers! If anyone has the technical knowledge to evaluate this I would love to hear some thoughts.

I bought the amp just a short time ago and it had issues with the left channel so it is at Spectral now having all the transistors replaced. I had thought about selling it because of my fondness for the Alpha DAC but I think it would sound much better than the Krell FPB 600c I use now. I do not want to risk any damage to it, especially after the work that is being done but man is it a piece of work. If I could find a way to keep it I think I would get the clear top, this is turning into a sick relationship!

Is this a real risk? I just do not have the technical knowledge to know...? Any experiences or thoughts related would be greatly appreciated...
richard_stacy

Showing 5 responses by richard_stacy

richard_stacy OP
686 posts
 
kops...

the issue is not that the mit cables are "the best" rather their design is unique and prevents oscillation in spectral amplifiers. this is not marketing hype as many will attest to seeing them fry. it is not a sonic matter although fried amps do sound pretty bad!
richard_stacy OP
686 posts
 
wow, great point. i have read it many times but did not think about that detail.
richard_stacy OP
686 posts
 
i know what spectral will say for certain. unless it is the "s" designated amps, all of their amps are only to be used with spectral preamps and spectral/mit cables. i just wondered what folks outside of spectral/spectral dealers thought of the real world risks.

thanks much for the input.
richard_stacy OP
686 posts
 
i did post a message in his system setup area after i read your comment above, thanks. your suggestion would have been a more appropriate forum but that was the only one i found at the time. if nothing else, i found a new resource. i never really read through that site and there is quite a bit of good stuff.
richard_stacy OP
686 posts
 
that is fascinating lawrence. i am getting so much conflicting information as i research this. there is a post on the a/v guide forum that says berkeley uses spectral amps in their voicing, not sure if it is true but i would not be surprised at all given the relationship. then of course i also just got another firm suggestion not to do this from a tech at goodwins . he had discussed it with spectrals tech and, of course, was told sternly...do not do it.

what the heck!!!
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