One For Anyone: Amp for Spendor S3e

[ESP2009]

Sorry, couldn't resist getting on the bandwagon. Obviously my recent Cyrus CDP post and subsequent thread kind of went off on a bit of a tangent as those who read/contributed are well aware. The advice was that I should seriously consider the amplifier upgrade before ditching the source (Marantz CD63 Mk2 KI Sig). A couple of suggestions have been made, but since the post was about CD-players, I thought it better to start an amp thread instead to better (I hope) canvass opinion.

I hope to visit the Birmingham branch of Music Matters tomorrow lunchtime for a chat, but in the meantime any extra helpful suggestions, over and above those lready made, would be appreciated. Thanks.

Incidentally, anyone know of a West Midlands hi-fi specialist who allows home auditions?

 

[the record spot]

Well, I think you can't look at one or the other isolation - hence which amp will work with both the CDP and S3e. I think looking at that, as well as considering the kind of sound you like to hear will reap more benefits than just the partnership between amp and speaker alone. Not sure what to recommend, but my experience of late suggests a good quality amp with good power on tap (as well as current delivery) would be the way to go. Take you pick from a list of many!

 

[Anonymous]

music matters will definately let you do a home demo, but the manager will want to take your card details from you. I have done it with that branch and stourbridge one.

Superfi in birmingham might let you do home demo's and they have roksan, arcam, rotel and a few others.

Music matters has some very top notch kit in there and they are very helpful. They have a good large listening room and will take the kit in there. Also, you could listen to a few things and then bring in your speakers and cd player (more of a pain I know!).

Good luck and let me know what you will be going for.

Just a word of note, they dont do cyrus anymore as they had a falling out with them, so stopped stocking their stuff just a few months ago!

 

[Anonymous]

Yep the spendors need some grunt to hear them at their best as the sensitivity is very low for them.

 

[chebby]

Music Matters Birmingham advertise the 'usual suspects' (Naim, Arcam. Rega, Roksan, Yamaha, Marantz)

Actually no, they don't list Cyrus.

Nonetheless, lots to listen to there. I am not going to 'plug' Naim because I have only heard the Nait 5i/CD5i with Spendor's S3/5Rs and not their S3Es. (Naim is best home demo'ed anyway.)

Try the Rega Brio 3. It's a blast. Cheap, basic, no remote, and huge fun for the money, whereas the Mira 3 has a remote and is more refined and detaile... zzzzzz

If the dealer makes you feel like an idiot for thinking the cheaper Brio 3 is more fun, then just remember his margins are talking. The Mira 3 is a big old snooze. (That is why it has a remote and the Brio doesn't. Brio owners are already on their feet loading more music or dancing, Mira owners can't muster the will to stand up.)

The Arcam A18 owner is the bloke you will find crushed underneath the Mira 3 owner. They gave up even longer ago.

 

[ESP2009]

chebby:

Music Matters Birmingham advertise the 'usual suspects' (Naim, Arcam. Rega, Roksan, Yamaha, Marantz)

Actually no, they don't list Cyrus.

Nonetheless, lots to listen to there. I am not going to 'plug' Naim because I have only heard the Nait 5i/CD5i with Spendor's S3/5Rs and not their S3Es. (Naim is best home demo'ed anyway.)

Try the Rega Brio 3. It's a blast. Cheap, basic, no remote, and huge fun for the money, whereas the Mira 3 has a remote and is more refined and detaile... zzzzzz

If the dealer makes you feel like an idiot for thinking the cheaper Brio 3 is more fun, then just remember his margins are talking. The Mira 3 is a big old snooze. (That is why it has a remote and the Brio doesn't. Brio owners are already on their feet loading more music or dancing, Mira owners can't muster the will to stand up.)

The Arcam A18 owner is the bloke you will find crushed underneath the Mira 3 owner. They gave up even longer ago.

Thanks for the guidance so far. Can't say I am a fan of the Arcam sound - I have heard the Arcam 9 series (both CDP and amp together, I think) and it was much too smooth and laid back. Like a very comfortable duvet.

 

[ESP2009]

I fully appreciate that there is a wide choice out there. One (main) reason for asking your guidance in order to narrow the field down.

I was hoping to hear Cyrus at MM, but want to try Naim, Roksan, Leema and Rotel. I have never heard any of their kit, so need to widen my experience. What I intend is to visit MM for a chat tomorrow and then maybe take speakers and CDP in on Wednesday or Thursday lunchtime. There's also the Sound Academy in Bloxwich or MM in Stourbridge to consider for the weekend.

 

[malthus80]

ESP2009:

Incidentally, anyone know of a West Midlands hi-fi specialist who allows home auditions?

Music matters in Stafford let me have something on home demo.

 

[malthus80]

ESP2009:

I fully appreciate that there is a wide choice out there. One (main) reason for asking your guidance in order to narrow the field down.

I was hoping to hear Cyrus at MM, but want to try Naim, Roksan, Leema and Rotel. I have never heard any of their kit, so need to widen my experience. What I intend is to visit MM for a chat tomorrow and then maybe take speakers and CDP in on Wednesday or Thursday lunchtime. There's also the Sound Academy or MM in Stourbridge to consider for the weekend.

I am in the same needing to widen my experience boat. The guy at mm stafford is good but sometimes they can be limited with brands but it might be worth a look if you decide the naim route is good for you. Hes very passionate about his naim.

 

[ESP2009]

malthus80:I am in the same needing to widen my experience boat. The guy at mm stafford is good but sometimes they can be limited with brands but it might be worth a look if you decide the naim route is good for you. Hes very passionate about his naim.

The first stage took place this lunchtime. Took myself off to MM on the Hagley Road for a chat. Booked in for a demo next Wednesday. Naim Nait 5i, Naim Nait XS, Leema Pulse II & III plus a Naim pre/power combo from ex-demo stock. Looking forward to the experience.

 

[Anonymous]

Exciting stuff!

 

[mitch65]

Prior to using Naim I had a Leema Pulse and, for me, they just did not work well together. The Naim seems to give them more welly and having had a Roksan Caspian in the past I can see them working (certainly worth an audition

)

 

[ESP2009]

igglebert:Exciting stuff!

It is in a way, I suppose. Especially so when I begin to think of the money I may be spending! Who am I trying to fool when I say I might be upgrading at some point in the next 12 months and all I am doing now is a bit of auditioning?

I think I will see if the Sound Academy in Bloxwich has a convenient slot this weekend for trying some other sexy boxes of electronics.

 

[mitch65]

ESP2009:

igglebert:Exciting stuff!

It is in a way, I suppose. Especially so when I begin to think of the money I may be spending! Who am I trying to fool when I say I might be upgrading at some point in the next 12 months and all I am doing now is a bit of auditioning?

I think I will see if the Sound Academy in Bloxwich has a convenient slot this weekend for trying some other sexy boxes of electronics.

Tell me about it! Told my wife "no dear, that's the last turntable I'm gonna buy....honest" then what do I do? The rest, as they say, is history. happy auditioning

 

[respe]

Spens can be a tad hard to drive for sure, he Brio will probably surprise you, as well as the Naim pre-power I would see if you can have a listen to the Cursa Maia as well. The rega pre-powers are the step up from the Brio that the Mira should be.

 

[ESP2009]

And now I'm set for a demo of some Cyrus and Roksan kit at the Sound Academy this weekend. Sadly, I am told the Primare I30 is not available due to Primare bringing out an update, possibly in late July or August. Stocks of the current version are apparently not being replenished. I was encouraged to give it a listen if I ever get the chance...or wait for the new incarnation!

No Rega to try though.

 

[mitch65]

ESP2009:
And now I'm set for a demo of some Cyrus and Roksan kit at the Sound Academy this weekend. Sadly, I am told the Primare I30 is not available due to Primare bringing out an update, possibly in late July or August. Stocks of the current version are apparently not being replenished. I was encouraged to give it a listen if I ever get the chance...or wait for the new incarnation!

No Rega to try though.

What are the chances of you being able to wait till July I wonder? Make a sentence from the following words-

burn, money, pocket, hole

 

[ESP2009]

Too right! I an hoping to make it until at least next Wednesday before spending anything!

 

[mitch65]

TBH The Roksan's gonna rock the Spendors, so maybe waiting will be out of the question Haha!