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REVIEW: Spectron Musician III Amplifier (SS)

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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: 69.221.131.198
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for the Musician III


I had been searching high and low for an amp that could power my

Martin-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)