[mitch stl]

Just a heads up that I'll be putting my Spendor S5e speakers up for sale here in a week or two. (I am moving up the line to Spendor S8e speakers, so am obviously very pleased with the basic design.) I'll post a listing in the Trading Post after my new speakers show up. I will also probably list on Audiogon since I have boxes for shipping. However, if we have any serious interest locally, I'd be glad to talk. No desire to hassle with shipping if there is someone local who wants them.

[Scott F.]

Ouuu, a new guy   

So tell us about yourself Mitch  What kind of speakers are on their way in? Whats going to drive them?

Inquiring minds want to know 

[MaxCast]

I bet it's the S8e's 

[mitch stl]

Yes, Maxcast, i've got a pair of S8e speakers coming in about a week. After they've arrived and are settled in, I'll make the sale of the S5es a formal offer.

I've got a very basic system. A Linux music server (primarily Flac storage with about 19,000+ tunes) that drives a Squeezebox 3 into a Lavry DA-10 DAC to a Bel Canto S300 amp. That currently powers the Spendor S5es that will soon be replaced with the S83 model. I'm not much of a magic wire person but I do believe in the basics. I've built from scratch and kit in the past and repaired a variety of equipment and have actively enjoyed this hobby getting close to 40 years now. (Still have the scopes and meters in the basement - you never know when you'll need to test a tube.)

Interestingly, about half of my collection is from LP and open reel, but I've been converting those to digital for several years now. The LPs are mostly done, but I still have about half of my open reels left to pick through. Just got my Tandberg 9041x running again after having the rubber rollers rebuilt this spring.

I've been reading this forum hear and there and have had good intentions about trying to attend one of the meetings but just haven't found the time yet.

So that's the quick and dirty explanation.

[Scott F.]

Cool,

Sounds like you've got a really nice system. Should be even nicer once you get the 8's in. I think you'll find that you'll fit right in with the rest of us. Most everybody is doing the Squeezebox thing. And like you, none of us are magic wire guys. We all can hear the difference but  most of us won't pay the crazy prices for them. In turn, we mostly stick to good sounding, reasonably priced stuff, that or we build our own.

Hey, if you aren't busy Saturday afternoon or evening, there are a number of newer guys coming by my place to listen to some gear that they probably haven't heard before. You are more than welcome to join us 

[Russell Dawkins]

Welcome, Mitch!

Just curious - did you ever get an opportunity to compare the Lavry DA 10 with the Benchmark DAC?

Russell

[mitch stl]

Thanks for the invite, but I'm actually in St. Paul this weekend to meet my son's future in-laws for the first time. (See what I mean about scheduling?)

As for the Lavry DA-10 vs Benchmark, I've heard both but not back to back. The decision toward the Lavry was more on the fact that I appreciate Dan Lavry's following in the professional recording community and I like his philosophy. He also makes himself very available on his forum which is a great bonus. (If you haven't read some of his "white papers" I encourage you to do so. Very insightful.) And the DA-10 is simply a great sounding unit.

[Russell Dawkins]

As for the Lavry DA-10 vs Benchmark, I've heard both but not back to back. The decision toward the Lavry was more on the fact that I appreciate Dan Lavry's following in the professional recording community and I like his philosophy. He also makes himself very available on his forum which is a great bonus. (If you haven't read some of his "white papers" I encourage you to do so. Very insightful.) And the DA-10 is simply a great sounding unit.

Thanks. I presumed they would both be good enough for my purposes, but I liked the phase invert switch on the Lavry and I agree, having the designer active on a forum is a real bonus.

[EDS_]

What wood finish are your S5e?

Rosenut maybe? If so I'd be really interested.

[mitch stl]

The S5e speakers are cherry finish. I've had them for 18 months.

[Bob in St. Louis]

Welcome to the club Mitch. 

Bob

[mitch stl]

My Spendor S8es arrived earlier this week and are just wonderful (though I think I slightly prefer the physically smaller size of the S5es in my room.) However, they are keepers, so the S5es are now officially for-sale.

Just submitted the ad to Audiogon, so the speakers should show up shortly. Asking price is $1,300. If anyone in the St. Louis area is interested, let me know. I'll probably put off boxing them for a couple of days on the chance that a serious local buyer might wish to hear them.

[mitch stl]

Just to close out this particular thread in case anyone reads it down the road, the Spendor S5e speakers are sold an no longer available.