Best Audio Electronics for Paradigm S8v3 Speakers

Never really liked the S8's. Had a pair in storage that I was meaning to sell but had to pull them out after my system was stolen in a home burglary last year.

Decided I needed something simple and relatively inexpensive so I pulled the trigger on an OPPO 105, a pair of Wyred 4 Sound MAMP monoblocks and Spatial Quantum Field speaker cables with the hopes I could get by for a year or so. Boy was I in for a surprise!

I had never heard the S8's sound this good - even driven by some expensive TRL and Audio Horizons source equipment. I have to admit the amps I had used up till that point were average(Bel Canto Ref1000, Rotel 1090, Rawson Gain Clones.

I think the new amps and speaker cables are a killer combination and have the most impact. I've been told other S8 owners have said the same thing who had a listen at RMAF.

One more item that is a must-have for Paradigm speakers. Spatial Computer Velocity Bridge (VB1). Its amazing how these $200 devices have transformed the sound on these speakers. I'm actually thinking about keeping the S8's now. Please try them.

Bifwynne

The VB1 is really a special product. Check out their web site for the details at spatialcomputer.com. Essentially they reduce noise (RF and EMI) and flatten the impedance curve between drives and speaker cable. The results in my case have been astounding.

The VB1’s have the most impact on high frequencies, eliminating virtually all the tweeter ringing effects plagued by the Paradigm aluminum dome drivers. Improvements are had across the frequency spectrum. Check out this post on AudioCircle:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=120501.0

They are only $200/pr. Beyond highly recommended!

You are correct. I have the S8's V1. A speaker I really don't like. Long story as my home was burglarized last year and had to pull them out of retirement. The VB1's transform them into a fairly enjoyable speaker.