Spectral in my mind is the most detailed and "accurate" stuff out there. Spectral systems resolve more detail then anything else made. They are as neutral as you can get. They don't add any euphonius quality to the sound as Conrad-Johnson do. But because they are so anaylitcal, their not the most pleasing things to listen to. You hear everything, but theres one thing thats lacking from Spectral gear and thats tamber. This is the reason why people switch to tubes, because of the more life like tone that comes with tubes. I think a good alternitve to Spectral is Goldmund. Goldmund is just as much an engineering marvel (Spectral gear have bandwidth of DC-15mhz Goldmund is also very close both of them are VERY FAST with rise times of around 240 NANOSECONDS) but the Goldmunds have the tonality that is missing from the Spectral. If you are an audiophile it is good and well to buy Spectral as they are terrific value for the price. They are engineered by Keith O Johnson, who does all the reference recordings, which are also recorded on custom made Spectral gear. (explains why they sound so neutral, but so like lifeless) And the parts quality is much better then an equivilent priced Levinson or Krell. Infact the Spectral SDR-2000 D/A which sells for $8800 has the same parts cost as the $15,590 Mark Levinson 30.6. So thats just food for thought
Some of the biggest audio places carry..
Stores that are ultra high end like Goodwins Audio And Overture Audio and Progressive Audio and many others seem to carry Avalon and Spectral, They seem to prefer it to all the Krells and Levinson and Pass and Conrad-Johnson And Audio Research, which more of these stores also carry. They all of coarse carry MIT. I think that when you get into ultra high end it becomes more a factor of buying as a system. And I think Avalon/Spectral/MIT are some of the best sound money can buy. Anyone agree? Spectral gear is very analytical, but when their hooked to a laid back Avalon, and "smoothed" out by MIT, their the most detailed sound out there