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General Asylum: REVIEW: Spectron Musician III Amplifier (SS) by denf General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
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69.221.131.198
Model: Musician III Category: Amplifier (SS) Suggested Retail Price: $3995.00 Description: Power Amp Manufacturer URL: Spectron Manufacturer URL: Spectron
Review by denf on January 20, 2007 at 05:45:16
IP Address: 69.221.131.198Add Your Review
for the Musician III
I had been searching high and low for an amp that could power myMartin-Logan Summits effectively (what with their amp-crushing below 1ohm at
upper freq. impedance) with the finesse and authority that these
ultra-transparent speakers demand. Well I think I have found it in the
Musician III. Let me break the reproduction down into segments so I can
better describe the character of this incredible amp;
High frequencies: Absolutely the most natural and extended high
frequency reproduction I have heard, to date, from any amplifier I have owned.
It has all of the delicacy and sweetness of all of tube amps I have
owned, but wth MUCH better extension. It also has the ability to "flesh
out" the upper harmonics so that you can hear more of the harmonic
overtones of a tamborine or even distinguish what type (Zildjian, Paiste,
etc.) cymbal is played. (Most other amps I have tried treat the upper
octaves with a somewhat generic "white-ish" quality, which didn't allow for
this type of resolution).
Midrange: Here's the toughest area of ANY amp to get right, especially
with a speaker as revealing as the Summits. The MIII has just the right
balance of harmonic texture and liquidity to make vocals (and
everything else that falls in that range) sound utterly lifelike and "present"
in my room. Some much more expensive tube amps might give you a smidge
more "wetness" in this area, but the MIII comes darn close, and without
direct instant comparisions, you would never be left wanting more.
Bass; Obviously a forte for digital amps, but I cannot comment too much
in this area as my Summits have thier own amps powering the woofers for
low freq., but what I can ascertain is that it is as clean & quick as
anything I have ever owned.
Imaging: Very very good, but perhaps the only area i would rate this
amp a 9 out of 10 with something like the ASl Hurricane mono blocks or
the NuForce 9SE's being slightly wider. Stage depth however, is as good
as it gets. Plenty of "layering" and holographics going on here (also an
incredibly stable, locked-on soundstage).
Dynamics: Again, the best I have ever heard from a solid state amp,
with only the ASL Hurricanes perhaps edging it out in ultimate macro
dynamic slam. Micro dynamic shadings are exemplary and macro dynamics, such
as explosive rim shots, trumpet blasts, etc. are reproduced fully
intact without any sign of compression. Excellent PRAT and very lively
without ever sounding strained or harsh in any way (something I complained
about with the earlier Musicain II).
Overall, if you are looking for sonic colorations or euphony, look
elsewhere. The Musican III sees the emperor naked, and will tell it like it
is. If you hear brighness, darkness, or any other negative aspect, look
elsewhere in the reproduction chain as it is not coming from the MIII.
It is one of the most "neutral" and honest pcs. of gear I have owned.
Also i should point out that while the MII sounds great out-of-the-box,
it continues to become even more refined as hours begin to get logged.
I have had mine on 24/7 for the last 3 months and am still hearing
small incremental improvements, so the true break-in time is very long.
Some of the recordings used; XTC- Oranges & Lemons (MoFi gold CD), Eva
Cassidy-Live at Blue Alley, Clifford Jordon Quartet-Live at Ethell's,
James Taylor-Hourglass (SACD), Thomas Dolby-Astronauts & Heretics, Janis
Ian-Breaking Silence, Steve Hackett-Darktown, Kate Bush-The Dreaming,
Bill Bruford's Earthworks- Dig?, Barenaked Ladies-Gordon,
Ambrosia-Somewhere I've never Travelled
This is a true reference amplifier that won't jack up your electric
bill, over-heat your room, or empty your bank account. I can only imagine
what the "Signature" version of this amp must sound like!
Associated gear
Esoteric UX-3SE, Adcom GFP-750 (passive mode), P300, CCA Silver cables,
Acoustic Zen AC cords
Similar products
NuForce 9SE
Nuforce 9.0
Pass x250.5
Bel Canto Evo 200.2
TAD 1000 monos
Parasound JC-1 monos
Spectron Musician II
Antique Sound Lab Hurricanes
Llano 400s
Innersound ESL
Classe 301
Adcom 5802
AMC 2100s monos
Conrad Johnson Evo 2000
OCM 500
McCormick DNA-1
B & K Sonota monos
Perreaux PMF-3150
Carver M1.5T
Product Weakness: Might not give you that last .0001% of "wetness" or midrange glory of a SET amp, but it does everything else so well (and comes closer in this area than any other SS amp that i've heard) that you will not be left with tube seperation anxiety.
Product Strengths: One of the most complete and "balanced" sounding amps I have ever heard or owned.
Associated Equipment for this Review: Amplifier: Spectron Musician III Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Adcom GFP-750 (passive mode) Sources (CDP/Turntable): Esoteric UX-3SE Speakers: Martin-Logan Summits Cables/Interconnects: CCA Silver Music Used (Genre/Selections): ** see review Room Size (LxWxH): 18 x 15 x 8 Room Comments/Treatments: MetroFusors diffusors, Sonex Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 months Other (Power Conditioner etc.): P300, Acoustic Zen AC cords Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
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Topic - REVIEW: Spectron Musician III Amplifier (SS) - denf 05:45:16 01/20/07 ( 5)
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