So my Inspire has been playing daily for the last two weeks. I’m glad I didn’t comment specifically about the pairing before now other than saying it had more than enough power for my tastes to drive the
X-3’sin my 17x24x10 room. Initially there was a forward, almost hot treble when I put the amp in and I didn’t know if it was an issue of speaker needing break in, amp/tubes needing break in, placement issue, or just not a good match. I resisted the temptation to move speaker position and just let it play as much as I could (few hours/day). That forward, glassiness has completely melted away leaving behind an extremely natural sounding pairing. The amp with the Gold Lion KT-88’s produces really well controlled and articulate bass, tonally saturated mids (not warm/thick/syrupy) and sparkly clean treble. The amp is as quiet as a tomb. With the current tube configuration I would not call the treble sweet and the midrange reminds me of the LTA ZOTL 10 in that it’s really clean and dimensional without being colored(euphonic). I bought the amp fully expecting to rip out the new production 6sl7 and 5ar4 rectifier for NOS tubes... honestly the sound is so close to perfect for my tastes I’m just going to leave it as is. Although deconstruction of an amp into bass, midrange, and treble is necessary, what really matters is the overall gestalt of how listening to the amp makes you feel. This is one of a small group of amps that is able to turn my left brain off to just enjoy music while at the same time being engaging enough to keep my attention for extended listening. I have found that amps that typically grab my attention tend to be fatiguing and amps that tend to rest my left brain often end up sounding boring and best served for background music.
In the end please take this only for what it is...my opinion. I have read enough praise about particular scotch whisky and every time I try them they taste like turpentine to me. I like bourbons and American whiskey. Audio gear is similar...no right or wrong, it’s what you like that matters. For me the Inspire produces a remarkably clean treble with zero fatigue, a holographic and tonally saturated midrange without being euphonic, and super clean, tight articulate bass. If that sounds like your flavor of bourbon I can’t imagine you being anything but happy with the amp when burned in. So far this is my favorite pairing.
David
