Spectral-Is This As Good As It Gets

[Steve Williams]

The last time T.H.E. Show made a stop in San Francisco (8-9 years ago) I went for the weeknd and I can remember vivdly going back many times each day to hear what I felt was one of the best rooms at the event, specifically the Wilson WP (can't remember if it was 7's or 8's) driven by all Spectral components. It was fast, awesome sound with mind boggling bass. In all honesty if I were to think back to when I owned my WP 6's which was driven by Krell 750 MCX's and sounded pretty darn good, the Spectral sounded that much better

I also remember at the time the issue of having to use MIT interconnects for fear of blowing a driver due to the huge bandwidth on the Spectral. Do I understand that nowadays one doesn't need to use MIT interconnects with Spectral gear

[ack]

Still do (interconnects and speaker cables), except for some less-stunning Universal 'S' versions (although some *new* 'S' versions like the 200S still do - go figure). The amps do not incorporate an input choke or output inductor, thus the need for external filters. The filters are optimized for the length purchased - thus, a complete system design end to end. Not to many peoples' liking, but it is what it is. In the end, the results speak for themselves. BTW, there are other manufacturers that recommend (not actually require) specific cables, like FM Acoustics - see http://www.fmacoustics.com/pdf/audiophilpoweramp.pdf. In the end, any worthy component has exactly one best-match cable which can be easily spec'ed. On the other hand, most consumers like to play with cables and tweak - nothing wrong with that approach either, just not exactly optimal.

[Steve Williams]

Still do (interconnects and speaker cables), except for some less-stunning Universal 'S' versions (although some *new* 'S' versions like the 200S still do - go figure). The amps do not incorporate an input choke or output inductor, thus the need for external filters. The filters are optimized for the length purchased - thus, a complete system design end to end. Not to many peoples' liking, but it is what it is. In the end, the results speak for themselves. BTW, there are other manufacturers that recommend (not actually require) specific cables, like FM Acoustics - see http://www.fmacoustics.com/pdf/audiophilpoweramp.pdf. In the end, any worthy component has exactly one best-match cable which can be easily spec'ed. On the other hand, most consumers like to play with cables and tweak - nothing wrong with that approach either, just not exactly optimal.

so if something blows and MIT IC's are not used the warranty is void??

welcome to the Forum BTW

[ack]

Yes. The manual covers it, even the sticker on the plastic wrap that the amps come in. That and the requirement for use of their own preamps.

[amirm]

If the output filter is removed, the amp can oscillate damaging itself and speakers. So I am not surprised that they would have strict guidelines for what goes outside of the amp.

[ack]

Quite true. I have tried other cables with an old Spectral amp I had, and indeed it ran quite hotter. This could be due to oscillation, amplification of ultra high frequency noise, or both.

[Ron Party]

The last time T.H.E. Show made a stop in San Francisco (8-9 years ago) I went for the weeknd and I can remember vivdly going back many times each day to hear what I felt was one of the best rooms at the event, specifically the Wilson WP (can't remember if it was 7's or 8's) driven by all Spectral components. It was fast, awesome sound with mind boggling bass. In all honesty if I were to think back to when I owned my WP 6's which was driven by Krell 750 MCX's and sounded pretty darn good, the Spectral sounded that much better

If you're referencing the same Show I went to in S.F. (which also had the Avantgarde room at jet airplane volume levels), that was Music Lovers set up with Spectral driving WP7s.

[Steve Williams]

If you're referencing the same Show I went to in S.F. (which also had the Avantgarde room at jet airplane volume levels), that was Music Lovers set up with Spectral driving WP7s.

That was the show. In fact my award for best in show was the Avantgarde/BAT room

I did know it was Music Lover's room but you know how I feel about them