Spectral 30 SV Series 2 auditions?

Gene 15352

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Feb 18, 2013
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Hello everyone. Has anyone heard the series 2? Just spoke to a dealer today and the message to me was it would be a bigger upgrade for me to move to 30SV series 2 with a DMA 250 s3 amp than keep my 30SS with a DMA 280 amp. Are the gains in upgrading that large with the system I have or do I need to have 50 thousand plus speakers and front end to notice? Thanks.
Gene
 

Mdp632

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May 29, 2016
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I haven't heard this pre-amp. But, I believe @ack might have auditioned it in his system. I just can't find the posts. I believe they were posted in another thread with a different topic.

That being said, do you currently own a 280? That is current generation.

Perhaps your dealer is just pointing out that the 30SS pre-amp is just an older generation.
 

ack

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My quick comments regarding my 30SV vs Series2 are here https://whatsbestforum.com/threads/spectral-dmc-30-sv-series-2.31262/page-2#post-672612 onwards. However, I would suggest getting at least a 30SV over a 30SS, so your dealer may be mostly right. Regardless of what we say, you should also listen for yourself, and I don't think you need expensive speakers to assess the merits of the SV technology. Beyond that, my preamp jumped to another level with the latest Shunyata power conditioning (see signature). All I was hoping to see in the Series 2 was lower distortion, but the overall sonic character of the preamp changed, not to my liking. So take it all with a grain of salt, everyone's system is different, so some home auditions may be in order.
 
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Gene 15352

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Thanks for your feedback. Just sold my Pass amps so I'am indeed ampless! I will miss the sweetness of the Pass but getting into a 280 should be sublime. Anyone direct me to comments on the 280?
 

ack

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I am unfortunately unable to help with these amps. Overall, the dealer should be able to provide more details on the sonic signatures of the combinations, with pros and cons. I did own the original the original 250 over 15 years ago and I absolutely loved it.
 

Mdp632

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May 29, 2016
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Thanks for your feedback. Just sold my Pass amps so I'am indeed ampless! I will miss the sweetness of the Pass but getting into a 280 should be sublime. Anyone direct me to comments on the 280?

I can't speak to the 280. But, are you located in Canada or the US?

Just asking because I wasn't aware of any Canadian Spectral dealers.

FYI, I was told that a *possible but, very likely price increase of all US MSRP of the amps in 2021.

Sooner rather than later.

For example, the SV CD player new is now 26k US. It debuted at 20K new a few years ago.

Seems like they are following the lead of other US based high end companies in terms of pricing increases in 2021.

Eg. Boulder and Magico.

Not sure if this is related to the global semi-conductor issues that span multiple industries.

I want a 300 or 400SV but, I'm afraid by the time I'm ready to purchase this year the price will have increased :-(
 

ack

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Take the plunge before prices go up :) I love spending other people's money!
 
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Mdp632

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Take the plunge before prices go up :) I love spending other people's money!

I wish they announced it like Magico we know is going up on 3/1.

Boulder has it publicly stated on their website what products are increasing.

But, Spectral is spectral and not even the dealers know of a increase until they are told.
 
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Gene 15352

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Feb 18, 2013
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No Cdn Spectral dealers, however not an issue as I had previously purchased my preamp from Terry at Overture AV and will just deal with another US dealer for any future amp. Today, the dealer quoted pricing of a 280 at $15,000, 250 s3 at $12,000 and a 30sv series 2 at $16,000.
 
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Mdp632

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May 29, 2016
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No Cdn Spectral dealers, however not an issue as I had previously purchased my preamp from Terry at Overture AV and will just deal with another US dealer for any future amp. Today, the dealer quoted pricing of a 280 at $15,000, 250 s3 at $12,000 and a 30sv series 2 at $16,000.

The 280 is balanced so, not sure if you use XLR from pre to amp. But, if so makes sense to get the 280 over a 250s3.

The 250s3 is single ended. As is the DMC-30SC (Pre)

I believe your SS2 is a balanced pre-amp.

My vote is for the 280 :)

Keep us posted.
 
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ack

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Gene 15352

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Feb 18, 2013
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Canada
Yes Ack, I was thinking the same thing and saw the listing. If I'm never going to upgrade to the SV preamp then perhaps the 300RS amp would be a good match. Everyone seems to be hush hush on the secret code to grounding the RS amps. I heard that it's recommended to buy the inexpensive MIT ac wall receptacle for Spectral, either plugging in directly or a distribution box. I really don't want to remove my Furutech ncf ac receptacle/wall plate. The Torus AVR 20 would be then overkill for my source equipment as well. I take it the 300RS is leaps and bounds or subtle improvement over the 280?
 

Gene 15352

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Feb 18, 2013
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Canada
Just sold my C2's an hour ago! lol. So I'm re-building the system from the Spectral preamp, Luxman dac and Aurender. It's going to come down to the new Dynaudio Confidence 30 or 50; or Paradigm Persona 7F. Hugh from Music Lovers mentioned that a gentleman just traded in their Wilson Watt Puppy 8's towards a pair of Persona 7's with the 280 amp and 30ss preamp - stunning combo
 

ack

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I take it the 300RS is leaps and bounds or subtle improvement over the 280?
Hard to say, but I would definitely call Goodwin's for that very same question - they have both
 
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mtenn

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Apr 29, 2020
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Yes Ack, I was thinking the same thing and saw the listing. If I'm never going to upgrade to the SV preamp then perhaps the 300RS amp would be a good match. Everyone seems to be hush hush on the secret code to grounding the RS amps. I heard that it's recommended to buy the inexpensive MIT ac wall receptacle for Spectral, either plugging in directly or a distribution box. I really don't want to remove my Furutech ncf ac receptacle/wall plate. The Torus AVR 20 would be then overkill for my source equipment as well. I take it the 300RS is leaps and bounds or subtle improvement over the 280?
Can you explain the secret grounding?
 

Gene 15352

Well-Known Member
Feb 18, 2013
79
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925
Canada
Actually, it seems pretty straight forward. This is from the dealer and Spectral. Plug the Spectral amp directly into the wall with a Synergistic Research Quantum Ground Lifter. All other components can be plugged into a non-filtered distribution box that is star wired internally. I've added some Furutech NCF clear lines to the distribution box and three Furutech Flux-50 NCF filters for lowering the noise floor; used on amp, pre-amp and dac. https://www.furutech.com/2016/08/23/13623/
 
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Gene 15352

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Feb 18, 2013
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Forgot to mention that the power cord from the amp and the distribution box need to plugged into the same ac receptacle.
 
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kennyb123

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Forgot to mention that the power cord from the amp and the distribution box need to plugged into the same ac receptacle.
Does this apply only when using a reference series amp?
 

Gene 15352

Well-Known Member
Feb 18, 2013
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Canada
Applies to any amp.
 

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