DMA-500 Anniversary Reference Monoblocks

Mdp632

Well-Known Member
May 29, 2016
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Looks like new Spectral flagship monoblocks are in the works. I was hoping to see the Phono Stage in 2017 but, curious as to what these will bring.

IMG_0331.jpg
 

ack

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May 6, 2010
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Nice! I was kind of expecting those, based on prior conversations with dealers... Frankly, I was hoping for two-chassis amps, but this will also do :D My guess is that the driver stage takes on those custom JFETs seen in the 30SV, and I am sure there are other changes as well.
 

Kingsrule

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Feb 3, 2011
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Will they ship in anyone on this boards lifetime ?
 

ack

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member
May 6, 2010
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Not sure why your image was chopped off, here's the whole thing

dma-500.jpg
 

ack

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You know what I love the most? That there is real product information (phono, amps) coming out of CES regarding Spectral - a first this year, if memory serves me right. Every time I would poke at dealers about Spectral news out of CES, they would be and still are evasive, and would only speak when Spectral officially announces new products with letters and faxes to dealers. This piece of news here is really great!
 

Kingsrule

VIP/Donor
Feb 3, 2011
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Do u think they got rid of the hunk of heat sink on the rear or is the photo cropped??
 

ack

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May 6, 2010
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Don't know, but I have a feeling the photo is cropped. I've been discussing this DMA-500 with the local dealer for years, as some sort of "super-amp" they've been working on, and I expect it to be yet another huge milestone in their decorated history.
 

BMCG

VIP/Donor
Oct 1, 2016
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feedback from european dealer/distributor "the DMA-500 is a special master piece project by Keith Johnson, it could still take a while ( up to 2 years) and the question is if there are some available for outside a circle of friends. "
 

ack

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member
May 6, 2010
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Thanks; sounds like limited edition and by-invitation only; even better, didn't want to have to upgrade again.
 

BMCG

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Oct 1, 2016
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ack

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member
May 6, 2010
6,774
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ack

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member
May 6, 2010
6,774
1,198
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Boston, MA
That's great stuff, with unparalleled slew rates for an amplifier. I didn't want to steal their thunder, but as alluded to, these are typically referred to as the "SV amps"
 

ack

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member
May 6, 2010
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I had a little blurb on them under my system thread - superb detail, but need to bring them home for full eval because overall I did not like the sound coming out of the Magico M3 - probably nothing to do with the amps. I also know customers who have already received theirs.
 

ack

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May 6, 2010
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I have seen them go for 25k
 

ack

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member
May 6, 2010
6,774
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580
Boston, MA
Goodwin's just put up the following at http://goodwinshighend.com/_products/spectral/dma500.htm

When we first heard the production prototype in early July 2017 here at the store we were rather amazed. We thought that we would hear a subtle but noticeable improvement over previous Spectral power amp designs. However this was beyond what we expected. Shortly thereafter we received our production pair and we had a chance to really audition it even more thoroughly. After living with it for months we are very happy to report that in our opinion this is Spectral's first true "Super Amp".

Then in November 2017, Alan Goodwin visited the Spectral factory and had the opportunity to talk extensiverly one-on-one with both Keith Johnson (Chief Designer) and Richard Fryer (President and Project Manager) about what they had acheived with this new amp. Literally this represents a technological breakthrough. With single-sourced custom parts and a unique circuit designed around those custom parts, Spectral has taken the art/science of power amplification design to a whole new level. Never before have we ever heard such a pure and natural expression of our favorite music. There are many very technical aspects to the design, but really all you need to know is that this is a very special amplifier that you simply have to hear to believe! And so you are invited to visit the store, bring your favorite music and audition it for yourself. One listen and you too will understand why we are so excited about this new amplifier!
 

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