Spectron amplifier - new black faceplate?

Hello Rafael and all other owners of Spectron amps,

My system: Esoteric X-03 CD Player, Capri by Jeff Rowland , Mackintosh MC2102 and my speakers are Watt/Puppy 8. Cables by Purist Audio Design and power conditioner is Thor by Nordost.

I am looking for more power but I don;t want to be without "tube sound" and I have read that Spectron monoblocks are not only powerful but sound like a good tube amp. I am not sure if I need v-cap and Bybee upgrades.

What is your opinion of Spectron from point of view of musicality? Can it "grab" you?

Thanks
Mike

Hi,

I bought Musician III SE Mk2 with Bybee and VCap upgrades -slightly used but in good shape. I am listening to it for a second day and for my WATT/Puppy the sound is better then with McIntosh 2102. May be in midrange tube amp slightly better may be its my imagination - so close they are both. I will get HiFiTune Fuses and that will settles it. However, overall sound - soundstage, imaging, dynamic range, bass - all is better with Spectron. Even highs are silkier - no question about it!

I will not buy 2nd amp. I am sure that two monoblocks are better then one stereo - however I am happy with what I have.

Thank you all for your advices
Mike

Reviews do mean a lot !!!! If I am looking for the amp - I can't auditioned all available on market - Only what my local dealer has (and he dos not have much). Reviews help immensely to narrow options to educate about company, engineering approach, some weaknesses etc.

Ajackson1 - you even wrote me privately with advise not to believe this or that A-goner, nor to buy Musician etc.

Well, I bought used one - with condition that if I will not like it I will return - .... but I liked it and I did not return. As a matter of fact I LOVE it! Very close to some very good valve amplifiers in midrange and simply the best everywhere else.

The more time I use this amp the more I love it. I think I will save some money and trade-up this one for the pair of monoblocks, people are saying that midrange became much, much better not to mention dynamics and I believe them.

to Spectron Audio - great job, guys. Thank you.

Mike

New great Spectron review - http://positive-feedback.com/Issue44/spectron.htm

Note that "At first listen....I found them a bit dry and uninvolving. Figuring a little run time would help things out, I broke them in by feeding the amps cable radio night and day for about a week....

Forget what you think you know about Class D amplifiers. The Spectrons combined incredible speed with the kind sweetness and musicality usually reserved for good tube amps. They conveyed harmonic colors with incredible precision and rather than blending distinct tonal colors into a “sound” they rendered each color as distinct, bringing it to life, intact and true to the source..."

PATIENCE !!!!