Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Spectron Musician III Amplifier (SS) by gpeeke@sbcglobal.net Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here.

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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 gpeeke@sbcglobal.net ( A ) on March 18, 2004 at 10:25:08 IP Address: 169.206.13.101

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This review is for the newly upgraded Spectron Musician III Power Amp. This is one “FANTASTIC” amp. John Ulrick has been working on this technology for 20 some years and I think his experience has led him to this beautiful creation. Let me start by saying it has been a pleasure buying this amp and the support that Toni & John give has always been great and enjoyable. First off the build quality is exceptional and the new faceplate with the blue light looks very “Retro (to me)”. This amp does everything I wanted in a high-powered amp. I use to own a tube amp (EL34 based) but I always missed the extended highs and deep bass. But, I didn’t want to sacrifice the glorious mids that tubes reproduce. So my quest led me to Class D switching amps. From what I read they had the power I wanted (Dynamics), the smooth sound of tubes (Midrange I wanted) and extended highs without harshness. I evaluated several Class D amps. I don’t like to name names because it only confuses the consumer. I will say that 2 were well known brands and two were not. In my opinion, in my system and my room set-up this amp was “FAR SUPIRIOR” than the rest. The sound from the Musician III is “Involving, Intoxicating, and just PURE Music”!!! I have heard people say that Class D amps have the best of tubes and SS. The Musician III has it’s own sonic signature. The Highs are simply amazing. They are extended without harshness and silky smooth. I have never heard cymbals reproduced with such accuracy. There is a tremendous amount of air around the instruments. The Midrange is simply beautiful. Male and Female voices are reproduced as if they were standing in my room. On a recording of Johnny Hartman (on vinyl) the Musician III transported me to smokey jazz club(the smoke was from my Camacho Cigar) where the soundstage was so real. Johnny Hartman was up front sitting on a stool and his bad was behind him. This is what I look for when I play music. The amps midrange is superb. Guitar strings are portrayed with such realism, strength and yet delicate to the ear. This is the most NON-FATIGUING I have heard. I find myself listening to so much more music than ever before. The Bass is to die for. It is Deep, Tight and Authorative!! This amp has SO much muscle (500 watts aside) but the finesse of a ballet dancer. The soundstage is BIG. Both Wide and Deep. This amp has an uncanny ability to pull music out of the source equipment. I’m hearing instruments (in music I’m very familiar with) that I have never heard before. Another reason why I looked at the Spectron Musician III was that I own a pair of Von Schweikert VR-2 (upgrading to the VR-4jr’s) speakers and in talking with Von Schweiker I found out that they use the Spectron Musician III to “Voice” their speakers. They also used the Musician III for their shows. I believe I have put together a stereo system that has “GREAT SYNERGY”. If you are in the market for an amp at any price, you need to give the Spectron Musician III a “SERIOUS LISTEN”!!!

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Product Weakness:	NONE
Product Strengths:	Everything I said in the review. This amp is "A KEEPER"

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Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Spectron Musician III
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	deHavilland SuperVerve.. NOS Westinghouse 5AW4, Sylvania 6AH4, Kenrad 6SN7(1943 Navy Tube) EAR 834 Phono Stage.. NOS Telefunken's
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Jolida JD100 CD Player.. NOS Telefunken's, Nottingham Interspace w/Hyperspace platter, Interspace Tonearm, Lyra Lydian Cart, Vintage Knight Tube Tuner circa 1963
Speakers:	Von Schweikert VR-2(Upgrading to the VR-4jr's)
Cables/Interconnects:	Spectron Remote Sense Cable, FRO-ZEN IC's , Signal Magic Power Cord, Signal HC Digital Power Cord
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz & Classic Rock
Room Size (LxWxH):	25 x 17 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	RoomTunes
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 Months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	BPT BP-2, Salamander rack, HAL Ball Cup w/Ebony Ball (4 sets), Audio Points, Mapleshade conepoints, Isoblocks, Timbernation Platforms, HAL Tube Dampers, Cable Elevators, Gutwire Notepads, Roomtunes Roompaks(2), PS Audio Power Port
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

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