Spectron Mk II, is it really that good.

" Are the Spectrons really special sounding in any way compared to other popular Class Ds like newer Bel Canto Refs or Wyreds?"

If you really want to know then buy them and compare. Spectron and Wyred are sold direct with 30 days money back guarantee and I am sure you can find Bel Canto dealer who can lend you the pair.

"The specs I see on the Spectrons do not look like anything special in comparison to other well received Class Ds. Am I missing something? "

Yes, you are missing something: specs. For example, Bel Canto people will tell you that their amp will not drive speakers with impedance below 2 ohms (since Wyred are based on idenitcal ICE mass production module then it should be the same there) but Spectron is stable to 0.1 Ohm. Read more.

Don't buy amp on the basis of specs alone. Listen and listen in your home without sale pressure!

Spectron,

Will consider that! There appears to be a lot of thought that has gone in the Spectral design.

My answer is "yes, Spectron really is that good." I had all the upgrades available for the MkII: Bybee, V-caps, etc. I have had my Spectron for perhaps 10 years: used it first to drive a pair of excellent, but very current-hungry Totem Mani-2's, and now Totem Forest Signatures (the room in my new house required a smaller footprint). I pair the Spectron with an Audio Research LS-17 and am very happy with the combination- dead quiet, seemingly endless headroom, and great musicality. All in all, this pair seem to be about as neutral as one could imagine. I've heard a lot about how much better is to have 2 and use them in a mono-block configuration, and that is about the only thing I might consider as a next stage upgrade.-Jim