2. amps-preamps
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Need some Tube and Class A SS Suggestions

I recently purchased a pair of Spendor D7s and am just loving these speakers. I have them paired with a musical fidelity KW 500 integrated. The combo is super fast, tight, and dynamic. However, the Spendors can be a bit too revealing in the high frequencies given a harsh or bright recording. This has me headed down the rabbit hole of tube amplification and possibly Class A SS. If the lowest bass is not as tightly defined I'm ok with. It actually may be too tight and defined at the moment. Added warmth in the upper bass would be fine as well. And if I'm going to upgrade then maybe it's time for separates too!

Here are the power amps I'm considering:
  • Primaluna EVO 400
  • Pass Labs XA25
  • Line Magnetic 805IA
  • Schiit Aegir Monoblocks - the price is just too good.
And on to the preamps:
  • Rogue Audio RP-5 and RP-7
  • PS Audio BHK Preamp
Ideally I would find at least one of the two Pre/Power used. I can probably get about $2200 for the musical fidelity so budget would be about $6k or so assuming I can somehow get both items used.

I'm curious to hear if any thoughts on what I've picked out already and if there are other units worth looking.

Thanks!
shahram

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First time poster here, but I've been following this forum for a while. I was compelled to comment here because my experience is eerily similar. I have the D7's with a Hegel H80. This combo is also fast, tight and sometimes too revealing. I'm also desiring some mid-bass warmth. I think with the H80 I haven't tapped into the full dynamic potential of the D7's.

Like you I'm also considering higher power tubes amps or SS class A (which I've never heard).  But, I'd like to stick with an integrated. I'm looking now at a Primaluna Dialogue HP or Vincent SV700 for my budget. 

Out of those you have listed, the Line Magnetic would be my top choice. But all of your options look like they'd be a great match. I don't have any direct experience with any of these so I'm looking forward to seeing where this thread goes and what you choose.
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@shahram 

I ended up with an Exposure 3010s2d for my Spendor D7's. 

Despite the modest price it is a substantial upgrade over a Hegel H80. I hear a powerful bass for the first time from these speakers, can pinpoint instruments in space more clearly and tone is improved. Really the improvements are across the board. When listening to Whale & Wasp, I hear a resonance from the violin that I've never experienced from reproduced music. Of course there is better gear out there, but hearing this was quite beautiful, and fuel to pursue this hobby. 

Upstream I'm using a MHDT Orchid which uses a tube buffer. I do like having a tube somewhere in the chain for these speakers. I recommend the 6922/ECC83 adapter mentioned in other threads for this DAC.

Swapping speaker cables DNM -> Raven, adding Gaia III's and changing rooms have all been beneficial. I've had these Spendors for three years now, and continue to appreciate them with every tube, component, or cable change. 


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