[Double Ugly]

However, rumor is the Spectron bested the Crown by a *LOT* straight out of the box, so I believe it's the better choice if funds permit.

Considering the price difference it should. 

Granted; I never meant to imply otherwise.  I simply offered up a rumor I heard that may not be common knowledge.  I received it second-hand, so for all I know it isn't even accurate.

Since the Macro-Reference hasn't been built for years and no one has a sale to lose, espousing my opinion of the amps seemed harmless enough.

Although only 250W PC (ONLY????), I still think Franks FET valve is worth a shot - due to the ears logarithmic responce, and 10 times the power being required to sound twice as loud, the fact it is half the power of the Spectron may not be that noticeable - if at all.  Also solid state amps usually have quite a bit of headroom for handling transients, so in practical terms it may not give much away to the Spectron - although the peak power Spectron claims it can deliver is truly amazing - so then again maybe not.  Since you can return it for a full refund what have you to loose?

The AVA amps are certainly an option for some, especially if they can be returned.

[TomS]

This is a question I have asked before.
DNA 500, newest Spectron lll SE, Belles 350 rev stereo/mono are some new
answers..
I'll be trying vintage Eagle Eleven mono blocks, Bel 1001 MK V,
Eagle 7a,
bi-amp too.to start.

Some will say tube on top and strong solid on bottom to biamp.
There is a fantastic solid amp for bass I have heard,
the crown k2 cheap on audiocircle amp4sale
Good luck,

Rod

I tried monoblock BEL 1001 MK III's on the Revs and it was NOT a good pairing.  They just didn't seem to have the necessary steam or sound as coherent as they normally do.  Can't really explain why because they sound very good on everything else.  I also tried the Odyssey Mono Extreme SE's and after a little warm up time they sounded nice indeed.  I didn't find the Odyssey-Rev combo overly warm at all when I heard it for a couple hours.  Not the absolute last word in see-through transparency, but still quite neutral, clean, effortless, and of course that big crankin' authoritative bass   I still would have liked to hear four of them 

[RodMCV]

This is a question I have asked before.
DNA 500, newest Spectron lll SE, Belles 350 rev stereo/mono are some new
answers..
I'll be trying vintage Eagle Eleven mono blocks, Bel 1001 MK V,
Eagle 7a,
bi-amp too.to start.

Some will say tube on top and strong solid on bottom to biamp.
There is a fantastic solid amp for bass I have heard,
the crown k2 cheap on audiocircle amp4sale
Good luck,

Rod

I tried monoblock BEL 1001 MK III's on the Revs and it was NOT a good pairing.  They just didn't seem to have the necessary steam or sound as coherent as they normally do.  Can't really explain why because they sound very good on everything else.  I also tried the Odyssey Mono Extreme SE's and after a little warm up time they sounded nice indeed.  I didn't find the Odyssey-Rev combo overly warm at all when I heard it for a couple hours.  Not the absolute last word in see-through transparency, but still quite neutral, clean, effortless, and of course that big crankin' authoritative bass   I still would have liked to hear four of them 

I'll try the updated MK V, been told a head above the the III's and IV's.
What about the option of Tube preamp and solid state amp?
Anyone tried that?

[Double Ugly]

This is a question I have asked before.
DNA 500, newest Spectron lll SE, Belles 350 rev stereo/mono are some new
answers..
I'll be trying vintage Eagle Eleven mono blocks, Bel 1001 MK V,
Eagle 7a,
bi-amp too.to start.

Some will say tube on top and strong solid on bottom to biamp.
There is a fantastic solid amp for bass I have heard,
the crown k2 cheap on audiocircle amp4sale
Good luck,

Rod

I tried monoblock BEL 1001 MK III's on the Revs and it was NOT a good pairing.  They just didn't seem to have the necessary steam or sound as coherent as they normally do.  Can't really explain why because they sound very good on everything else.  I also tried the Odyssey Mono Extreme SE's and after a little warm up time they sounded nice indeed.  I didn't find the Odyssey-Rev combo overly warm at all when I heard it for a couple hours.  Not the absolute last word in see-through transparency, but still quite neutral, clean, effortless, and of course that big crankin' authoritative bass   I still would have liked to hear four of them 

What would be really interesting, though, is to know how all of the above would sound in a place other than Bob's shop.  Especially the 1001s.

I have to believe all the extension cords, etc. had something to do with what you heard that day.  I have trouble believing speakers so transparent aren't going to in some way reflect all the crap going on upstream... just doesn't pass the sanity check, you know?

As for the Monos, the "see-through transparency" is precisely to what I'm referring.  Not overly warm, no, but not as transparent as might otherwise be the case.  Still, a more than viable option IMHO.

Regardless, what you've described hearing in La Porte in no way resembles what we heard in Denver, and I've no doubt I could get a hearty "Amen!" from all in attendance that evening. 

[opnly bafld]

Don't think so... at least not the absurdly low AC intro price.  Selling brand new Timepiece Minis for $1349/pair was absolutely crazy IMHO, and those who picked 'em up at that price may have gotten themselves the deal of the century. 

Hey Jim,
I keep thinking as I listen to the Mini's that I just made a down payment and I still owe Bob the "other half".

Lin

[TomS]

This is a question I have asked before.
DNA 500, newest Spectron lll SE, Belles 350 rev stereo/mono are some new
answers..
I'll be trying vintage Eagle Eleven mono blocks, Bel 1001 MK V,
Eagle 7a,
bi-amp too.to start.

Some will say tube on top and strong solid on bottom to biamp.
There is a fantastic solid amp for bass I have heard,
the crown k2 cheap on audiocircle amp4sale
Good luck,

Rod

I tried monoblock BEL 1001 MK III's on the Revs and it was NOT a good pairing.  They just didn't seem to have the necessary steam or sound as coherent as they normally do.  Can't really explain why because they sound very good on everything else.  I also tried the Odyssey Mono Extreme SE's and after a little warm up time they sounded nice indeed.  I didn't find the Odyssey-Rev combo overly warm at all when I heard it for a couple hours.  Not the absolute last word in see-through transparency, but still quite neutral, clean, effortless, and of course that big crankin' authoritative bass   I still would have liked to hear four of them 

I'll try the updated MK V, been told a head above the the III's and IV's.
What about the option of Tube preamp and solid state amp?
Anyone tried that?

Perhaps the V is a bit better as a stereo amp.  I had a chance to compare one V to a pair of bridged III's (not on SP's), which I much preferred.  From what I heard, I really think you'd really need two of them to tango with the Revs  

Good luck in the hunt.  You're a lucky dog and I'm sure you will love them.

[Double Ugly]

Don't think so... at least not the absurdly low AC intro price.  Selling brand new Timepiece Minis for $1349/pair was absolutely crazy IMHO, and those who picked 'em up at that price may have gotten themselves the deal of the century. 

Hey Jim,
I keep thinking as I listen to the Mini's that I just made a down payment and I still owe Bob the "other half".

Lin

I'll bet! 

Congrats again, Lin.  You did awfully well, my friend... awfully well! 

[RodMCV]

Yes I am lucky as I have 2 to bridge of the MK V.

[lonewolfny42]

What about the option of Tube preamp and solid state amp?
Anyone tried that?

Thats what I use....I like it.

[denjo]

Chris
I notice you use a pssive as well. How do you find the Bent NOH paired with SS amps? Do you spend more time with your tube pre than with the TVC?

Best Regards
Dennis

[lonewolfny42]

Lin...

I keep thinking as I listen to the Mini's that I just made a down payment and I still owe Bob the "other half"

....Bob reads these threads....and I didn't get my Mini's yet...

[lonewolfny42]

Chris
I notice you use a pssive as well. How do you find the Bent NOH paired with SS amps? Do you spend more time with your tube pre than with the TVC?

Best Regards
Dennis

Dennis....
I do spend more time with the tubed preamp's...Modwright, Juicy Music, ARC, Philly Audio.
I mainly use the Bent NOH with my tube amp...a KR Audio 320....

                              Chris

[Double Ugly]

From what I heard, I really think you'd really need two of them to tango with the Revs  

That could be, but since one of Karsten's favorite Revelation amps is David Berning's 70W/8 ohm ZH270, high wattage amps are not an absolute requirement.

He's also driven them satisfactorily with 200W/4 ohm Butler Audio Monads and the 300W/4 ohms NuForce Ref 9s, both relatively powerful, I suppose, but certainly not the arc welders some believe are necessary to drive the Revelations to satisfactory levels.

I think the real issue at play here is the ability to provide voltage, not the wattage rating of the amp itself.  Personally, I found the Symphonic Line RG4's lacking in that department, and since they're the $10k (or $11k, or $12k ) bigger brothers of the Extreme Monos, I wouldn't be surprised to learn the same built-in limitations were handed down to its sibling.

JMHO, and FWIW. 

[opnly bafld]

Lin...

I keep thinking as I listen to the Mini's that I just made a down payment and I still owe Bob the "other half"

....Bob reads these threads....and I didn't get my Mini's yet...

Sorry Chris, I didn't think, I was too busy doing this  listening to my new speaks.
I prefer tube pre and ss amp on speakers that are around 90dB and down or ones that like juice.

Lin

[opnly bafld]

I love OT 
We have gone from a review of the Mini's to what will drive the Rev's. 

Post away, I love it.

Lin

[2bigears]

   sure didn't mean to jack the thread !! Lotsa amps here to try with the Revs???? Will think & drink this one through,but will need an amp in 25 days or so,as i am pretty much ampless-in-Canada......    [HELP]

[lonewolfny42]

I love OT 
We have gone from a review of the Mini's to what will drive the Rev's. 

Post away, I love it.

Lin

.....
Its one big happy family of SP Tech owners....

[bhobba]

Hi DU

Granted; I never meant to imply otherwise.  I simply offered up a rumor I heard that may not be common knowledge.  I received it second-hand, so for all I know it isn't even accurate.

Sorry if I came across as thinking you were implying otherwise - I mentioned it merely for those who may not have been aware of the price difference.  Obviously I could have chosen my words with greater care 

The AVA amps are certainly an option for some, especially if they can be returned.

For some reason they don't seem to get mentioned much - but they certainly look the goods and are at a reasonable price.  The Omegastars are even cheaper at $1499 for 220W and are worth a look at IMHO.  I seem to recall Frank thinks the difference over the Fet Valve is the sort of thing that takes a while to grow on you.   If you want more power, you can always bridge them - but then you are looking at about $5000.00, including the bridging devices (they are $700 each and you need two of them), so adds up to not much less than a Spectron anyway.  For what its worth, if you want something with grunt, I would consider auditioning Omegastar as an interim measure.

Thanks
Bill

[lonewolfny42]

There are many amps that will work with the SP Tech speakers. It does depend on your room and what music and volume you listen at. The speakers do sound their best when you do have more power than you really need....

Experiment....try different combo's....you will strike on one that fits your needs.

And then.....just sit back and enjoy the tunes....

[bhobba]

  sure didn't mean to jack the thread !!

I don't think anyone, including the person that started it, minds - I certainly don't.

Lotsa amps here to try with the Revs???? Will think & drink this one through,but will need an amp in 25 days or so,as i am pretty much ampless-in-Canada......    [HELP]

As always have fun.  We are always here to bounce your ideas off.  That is what being part of the SP family is all about.  You purchased a piece of engineering with a support group - not just a speaker.  Beats the usual audiophile salon experience. 

Thanks
Bill