[bhobba]

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....

That's the 'trouble' (the kind of trouble other manufacturers would love to have) with em - not only are they (in the words of the guy that sold me my first set of speakers 25 years ago - they were also were famous for being power hungry and unerringly accurate  - the Gale 402's) 'bloody accurate and can take gobs of power without distress - so you want to wind em up - get a kick ass amp.'.  I didn't take his advice because I listen at lowish volumes (I got a 40W Proton) - but every now and then you sure like to wind em up - no doubt about it - and sometimes regretted it when my amp ran out of puff.

Experiment....try different combo's....you will strike on one that fits your needs. And then.....just sit back and enjoy the tunes....

Wise words Chris.  As always have fun - that's what your in this hobby for.  If the choices start to distress you take a step back, post your thoughts - I am sure i nthe end you will make the right choice.

Thanks
Bill

[lonewolfny42]

"Wind em up".....yes....guilty there....
But its nice to know you can....but I don't always....just some of the time...

[TomS]

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. 

Not sure what your point is Jim, because it didn't make sense to me, at least as an engineer, nor based on what I heard.  I was only talking about the BEL's and Odysseys, both of which I know very well, not making a generalized statement.  Guess I'll just step aside here, as it seems my experiences... well never mind

Im really happy Lin is enjoying the Mini's and pleased for Bob, who is busy making some Christmas's very merry!

[Double Ugly]

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 

I'm sorry, Bill, forgive me.  I didn't mean to come across as aggressively as was obviously the case.  Being 2 hours overdue on pain meds does that to me sometimes. 

That said, I *think* I understood your point, but since I believe most everyone is cognizant of the significant $$$ disparity between an old, highly used Macro-Reference and a new Spectron, it confused me.  That's why I replied, but again, please accept my apologies for being so gruff.

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.

I don't believe I know anyone who's used AVA amps with SP Techs yet, but it's certainly worth considering IMHO.  I say "yet" because I know someone recently purchased a really nice used AVA amp in anticipation of taking delivery of a pair of Timepiece 3.0s, so maybe he'll share his experiences when the time comes.

Not sure what your point is Jim, because it didn't make sense to me, at least as an engineer, nor based on what I heard.  I was only talking about the BEL's and Odysseys, both of which I know very well, not making a generalized statement.  Guess I'll just step aside here, as it seems my experiences... well never mind

Im really happy Lin is enjoying the Mini's and pleased for Bob, who is busy making some Christmas's very merry!

I'm sorry, Tom.  As I explained above, I posted in pain (had shoulder surgery Thursday), and that was a mistake.  I should not have taken the tone I did, and I apologize.

As to my point, though horribly put, I believe it has some credence.  First, that my experience with the Symphonic Line amplifiers is relevant to your and others experiences with the Mono Extremes, and secondly that I wonder if the 1001s might not sound very differently in a listening environment away from Bob's work area.  They may not, but given the conditions in Bob's shop, I believe my curiosity is justified.

I honestly mean no offense by either statement.  My perceptions and experiences carry no more weight than yours, nor are they any more valid.  Further, in no way am I saying - or even implying -  you didn't hear what you've described.  I'm simply saying things might've been different - and you might have heard different things - had your audition occurred somewhere other than Bob's shop.

Again, I apologize for posting in such an agitated manner.  Forgive me.

-Jim

[Double Ugly]

A review of SP Tech Timepiece Mini's

  ---------------------------------

A good gage of how much I like the Timepiece Mini's is that I don't think I would sell them if somebody offered me twice what I paid for them. Usually when selling speakers I get about half of what I paid for them, but I still sell them.

Lin

Given the topic of this thread and the circle in which it's found, I thought the above bore repeating. 

Now that I've apologized for making a butt of myself, I happily return you to your regularly scheduled speaker raving! 

Great job on the review, Lin, and congrats again! 

[opnly bafld]

Just in case some are wondering about the Timepiece Mini's amplification needs (with all this talk of the Revelations needing power), I have been running the Mini's with a 100w/ch integrated and so far the volume knob has not been past 11 o'clock. Granted I haven't been listening at concert levels, but most of the time the knob is between 9 and 10 and as some have stated, I find myself listening a little louder than I normally do.

Lin

[gongos]

I just bought a Ultra 550 and will be trying it with my new Revelations.

[Double Ugly]

Granted I haven't been listening at concert levels, but most of the time the knob is between 9 and 10 and as some have stated, I find myself listening a little louder than I normally do.

Have you checked with a meter?  Due to the super low distortion of SP Techs, it's easy to find yourself listening a lot louder than you'd imagine.

Just be careful, and enjoy! 

I just bought a Ultra 550 and will be trying it with my new Revelations.

OK, I stand corrected.  I know 2 who've purchased AVA Ultra 550s with the expressed intent of using them with SP Tech speakers. 

Did you buy new or used, gongos?

[bhobba]

Dear DU

Again, I apologize for posting in such an agitated manner.  Forgive me.

Forgiveness is never required when there is nothing to forgive.  Having severe arthritis I know what pain is, and what the medication to control it does.  I am sure all the members of the SP family wish you all the best with the management of your health issues, and hope your hobby can lend you solice during trying times.

Thanks
Bill

[bhobba]

I just bought a Ultra 550 and will be trying it with my new Revelations.

Please do let us know your thoughts.  They are 1/2 to 1/3 the price of the very fine amps people are recommending.  If they even come close to their capability is something those on a budget would be very interested in - and if they are as good - even better.

Thanks
Bill

[Double Ugly]

Dear DU

Again, I apologize for posting in such an agitated manner.  Forgive me.

Forgiveness is never required when there is nothing to forgive.  Having severe arthritis I know what pain is, and what the medication to control it does.  I am sure all the members of the SP family wish you all the best with the management of your health issues, and hope your hobby can lend you solice during trying times.

Thanks
Bill

Thank you very much, my friend, but bad as it was, pain is no excuse for being a jerk.

I appreciate your understanding and well-wishes, but I am truly sorry.   

-Jim

[Double Ugly]

Again, just to help get us back on track one more time... 

A review of SP Tech Timepiece Mini's

  ---------------------------------

A good gage of how much I like the Timepiece Mini's is that I don't think I would sell them if somebody offered me twice what I paid for them. Usually when selling speakers I get about half of what I paid for them, but I still sell them.

Lin

[RodMCV]

a used Spectron will run 4000.00 plus.If i could find a monster ss amp for 2k or 3k that would be great.Try to save a weee bit.

Here's an interesting possibility; the Aragon Palladium 1K mono blocks on agon for $2900.
Anyone used these?

[2bigears]

   those sport 400wpc....hummmm    any good though ????

[zybar]

  those sport 400wpc....hummmm    any good though ????

Spend a few bucks more and get a used McCormack DNA-500 or Spectron III SE.

George

[gongos]

Bought 550 used. Along w/ an Ultra SL preamp. The 550 is going head to head w/ some decked out Odyssey monos.

[2bigears]

   thks guys,what do those DNA-500 amps go for used on the Gon ???? 

[lonewolfny42]

  thks guys,what do those DNA-500 amps go for used on the Gon ???? 

$3,700.00 to $4,200.00.....its a good amp Pat.

[2bigears]

   thks Chris,if you guys see one,call please as i need an amp in 3 weeks for sure.... speakers are coming via Santa 

[zybar]

  thks Chris,if you guys see one,call please as i need an amp in 3 weeks for sure.... speakers are coming via Santa 

Contact jermmd here on AC.

I think he might be selling his.

George