Spectron amplifier - new black faceplate?

Michael,

you hearing consisten views from happy Spectron owners and I am in the same camp. Like Jonathan now I have the monoblocks with Byee and V-caps there is no reason to even think about anything else - and there is plenty of nice gear out there to tempt you.

Like others I have replaced tubes (SF Power 3's) with Spectron and I was able to get drawn into the music even more.

I don't think you can go wrong with Spectron - and the communications and service is great as well, if you should need it. I can't compare the Bybee / Vcap mods against the regular version, but I don't regret paying for these upgrades as I know I have the best amp (for me) against anything out there I would compare it with.

Steve

I just checked my Spectron main fuses in my 2 amps and they were Hi-Fi Tuning, but to my horror one of the fuses had "leaked" the internal damping material into the fuse holder - it was a sorry mess to clean up. At first, I thought maybe a cap had leaked, but it was just the fuse. The fuse was obviously still working and until I replace it I assume the fuse itself is OK, just the ceramic damping oozed out.

I am moving to Furutech and I recommend all Spectron owners to check their amp(s)

Steve

I changed the power fuses from the silver filled Hi-Fi tuning to the Furutech and found it hard to discern any definable improvement. Maybe, the amps sound a little more effortless.

However, I also changed the internal rail fuses to very inexpensive, but cryoed fuses from CryoParts and that made a noticeable gain in clarity and precision. At already outstanding performance levels from these amp, any changes are by definition just minor 'delta' shifts, but I do recommend going the cryo route for the internal fuses (without busting the bank) for a noticeable improvement.

Would be interested to hear anyone else's experiences ......... I love these amps!

Steve

Just hooked up a pair of Apogee Scintillas 1 ohm models (remember those - the "amp busters"). Now these might just be the best speakers ever made - planars that go down to 20Hz and true dipole tweeter ribbons. I must say that in bi-wired bridged mono block mode I found the Spectrons constrained as opposed to the headroom they have when driving my Martin Logans. Maybe the bridging drops the impedance load to below 1/2 ohm and the amps are not comfortable in this zone? Yet to try vertical or horizontal biamping.

Will give some updates on the Scinnies as the project unfolds. After a quick repositioning, removal of absorption panels behind the speakers and going to stereo vertical bi-amping I now begin to hear what all the fuss is about from the avid / rabid Apogee clan!

With the biamping configuration, I heard no strain from the Spectrons and although the bridged mode sounded better on my Logans, the stero mode on the Apogees is clearly much superior as the amps are not doubling down to 1/2 ohm.

The speakers are amazing and I can compare with the Soundlabs AX1's. The bass really does go down to 20Hz - had to take out my subteranean TL loaded dual 12" woofers which used to load the room with prescence, (as opposed to bass thumping). I never found until now a substitute for the accuracy and speed of my old ESL 63's in the lower regions. BUt the Quads were light in quantity and rolled off quickly below 40HZ. NOT these babies, the bass panel is fearsome with the Spectrons and MRTW ribbons have incredible air and transparency with the Spectrons.

More to follow

Steve