Spendor A5 - opinions and setups

[karlmc]

One other thing to try, which seems to work for me, is to adjust the front spikes so the speakers are angled slightly up to get the tweeters pointed more towards your head. I also think chord odyssey worth a try. Used it for a couple of years until I moved to Epic.

Makes sense regarding angling the speakers, I've given it a go. Chord Epic, not cheap - did you notice a jump from Odyssey? Have you tried Silverscreen?

Never tried silverscreen with the spendors always used odyssey until recently. Re: the Epic, yes i did notice a big jump from odyssey. In my setup it helped the soundstage become wider and also the bass used to be a bit bloated on a few albums but the epic has really tightned things up.

Noooooo - don't say that - just coming round to the idea of shelling out for the Odyssey!

Seriously though - great to know I'm only fulfilling a percentage of the Spendors abilities - they sound good already - I just want more sparkle, wider soundstage, better seperation. Feel like it's in there - I'm just not fulfilling their potential. Out of curiosity what interconnects do you use? I'm on Chord Crimson which no doubt again is probably not good enough for the Spendors or Leema

Currently use Chord Chorus2 from the rega dac to the naim xs. I also use chord cobra plus from the phono stage to the naim which I found to be excellent. If you are looking to move to odyssey, then if you look on chords web site, they recommend chameleon , cadenza or chorus 2. Perhaps a cable with silver plated copper may help.

 

[plastic penguin]

Thanks PP - I need a 4m and 2m length of the stuff so not cheap but I'll see if ebay has any bargains - did a lot of reading on this last night and this sort of thing does sound like exactly what I need. This and maybe a REGA DAC or MDAC

Seems like the away ahead. I love the Odyssey cable, unfortunately my tweeters don't.

If you look back at earlier threads I did mention the Rega Dac, and since then I've actually home dem'd one with my Arcam as transport, but found the Naim Nait CD 5i better to my ears than the Rega. Nonetheless the Rega is a fabulous dac.

 

[BluePotato]

Thanks PP - I need a 4m and 2m length of the stuff so not cheap but I'll see if ebay has any bargains - did a lot of reading on this last night and this sort of thing does sound like exactly what I need. This and maybe a REGA DAC or MDAC

Seems like the away ahead. I love the Odyssey cable, unfortunately my tweeters don't.

If you look back at earlier threads I did mention the Rega Dac, and since then I've actually home dem'd one with my Arcam as transport, but found the Naim Nait CD 5i better to my ears than the Rega. Nonetheless the Rega is a fabulous dac.

Yeah - think It might have been you that got me looking into the Rega DAC. What are your thoughts on interconnects? Make a big difference too? I've got Chord Crimson Plus but potentially a not bank breaking upgrade to be had there or are they much of a muchness?

 

[plastic penguin]

Thanks PP - I need a 4m and 2m length of the stuff so not cheap but I'll see if ebay has any bargains - did a lot of reading on this last night and this sort of thing does sound like exactly what I need. This and maybe a REGA DAC or MDAC

Seems like the away ahead. I love the Odyssey cable, unfortunately my tweeters don't.

If you look back at earlier threads I did mention the Rega Dac, and since then I've actually home dem'd one with my Arcam as transport, but found the Naim Nait CD 5i better to my ears than the Rega. Nonetheless the Rega is a fabulous dac.

Yeah - think It might have been you that got me looking into the Rega DAC. What are your thoughts on interconnects? Make a big difference too? I've got Chord Crimson Plus but potentially a not bank breaking upgrade to be had there or are they much of a muchness?

Interconnects are like speaker cables. They do make a difference but not hugely significant. Currently have Merlin Chopin between the CDP and amp, which I've had for about four years. They replaced Chord Chrysalis because they made my Arcam set-up sound a little thick in the midrange - the Chopins give extra transparency and more breathing space.

Building the ideal-sounding hi-fi is a process of collective small gains = satisfying whole.

Yes, it probably was me that first mentioned Rega Dac. Sorry.

 

[BluePotato]

Well - a bit out of the blue bought a REGA DAC off ebay, perfect condition for £380 today - owner estimated it's only had 10hours use, figured whats the worst that can happen? It goes back on ebay and I get similar back.

Just set it up and a couple of quick songs played. Will post full thoughts in a day or 2 but after afew quick songs that I note instruments having a touch more kick, seperation - bit more 'musical' - positive.

Next need to upgrade cables, I'm in town tomorrow and Superfi have Chord Rumour which are a bit cheaper than Odyssey which they would need to order. Tempted.

 

[plastic penguin]

Good stuff, BP.

You'll need a good couple of days to acclimatise your ears. Should be a fine upgrade over the rDac.

First thing you should notice is the soundstage making vocals sound more cohesive.

 

[BluePotato]

Good stuff, BP.

You'll need a good couple of days to acclimatise your ears. Should be a fine upgrade over the rDac.

First thing you should notice is the soundstage making vocals sound more cohesive.

PP - have you spent time with the REGA DAC? Spot on. Spent quite a lot of time listening to music today and whilst I'm sure I'll continue to draw out conclusions over the coming days and weeks I must say I'm really impressed with the 'lift' the REGA DAC has given my system. Finally those Spendors are starting to show some of their talents. The Rega over the Arcam has delivered music that's just that bit more 'alive', in comparison I found the Arcam a good listen but a bit dry and after long periods the whole thing started to fatigue my ears a little. The rega is delivering that bit more zing to the sound. Soundstage is far wider (and deeper to my ears!) - all in all more musical.

Even my OH has noticed a clear step up, she couldn't understand my dis-satisfaction before and always thought the system sounded great - now she knows what I meant!

Definitely on the right track here and I've had more enjoyment from my system in the last 24hours than since I bought it. Looking to add Chord Rumour cables hopefully tomorrow and then Chord Chameleon (looking at 2nd hand on ebay for £30odd quid) within the week).

:cheers:

 

[plastic penguin]

Good stuff, BP.

You'll need a good couple of days to acclimatise your ears. Should be a fine upgrade over the rDac.

First thing you should notice is the soundstage making vocals sound more cohesive.

PP - have you spent time with the REGA DAC?

:cheers:

Yip. About 3 weeks ago had the Rega Dac on home dem, a used model I loaned from my local dealer. Thought it was very impressive in many ways, but had two reservations: Firstly, I don't really see the need for an all-digital set-up in the short-medium term. And secondly, heard a Naim CD5i against the Rega/Arcam transport which blew me away.

So I'm going to concentrate around the Rega Saturn/Naim CD5i or CD5XS as possible source upgrades.

 

[Benedict_Arnold]

I have an rDac and am very pleased with it - certainly not a weak link in my system (Mac Mini, Audivarna, Ayre AX-7e, Harbeth 7/2's). Although I'm not looking for a punchy sound, so perhaps we have slightly different priorities.

Main reason for posting is to suggest a cheap upgrade for the rDac - get a VN10L power supply from Maplins for £15, it's well worth the difference (and will take you in the direction you want to go I think). Link below, just remember to set it to the 6V that the rDac needs

http://www.maplin.co.uk/low-power-multi-voltage-desktop-power-supply-492134

Well, well. Bought said item tonight - inititally wasn't sure I could tell a difference but playing the first 30seconds or so of Stevie Wonder Superstition I think the start up is just that little more prickly. I did I bling test on the Missus (who said romance is dead) to see if she preferred one to the other or couldn't tell difference - fully expected she wouldn't be able to tell but she clearly pointed the the Maplin power supply - bizarre, not sure why but as you say worth the £15.

Happier with the speakers facing straight on rather than shoe in - seems to image a bit better. Would be interested in hearing the jump with a Rega DAC, M DAC or a Musical Fidelity.

Whats the thoughts on cabling? I'm just running Chord Silverscreen speaker cable but I've been recommended to upgrade to Chord Rumour to 'really make the Spendors sing' to quote?

Something just 15 quid from Maplin that actually works?????:rofl: