[pewe]

I'm looking for a new pair of speakers to go with my Nuforce P8 and Ref 9 V2 combination. A year ago I heared the Spendor S8e speaker at a dealer and I really liked what I heard. The speakers were hooked up together with Musical Fidelity big int. amp and CD-player.

This week I heard the Spendor S8e again at another dealer and was equally impressed. This time the speakers were paired with the small Lavardin integrated amp.

But when I read some reviews about the Spendor S8 I came across this review: http://www.wolseleymedia.com.au/IgnitionSuite/uploads/docs/Spendor_S8e_Equipment_Review.pdf?128726469565562500

This reviewer gives the Spendors praise but I was very surprised when he talks about amplification: "it would
also be a good time to investigate amplifier matching, because I found my S8es were a little picky about the amp I used to drive them, reserving their best performances for fairly high-powered amps (you definitely wouldn’t want to drop below 80-watts per channel if you want ultimate dynamics) and most definitely thumbing their nose at both the Class-D amplifiers I tried with them with."  

He doesn't say what "class D" amps he tried the Spendors with but his statement makes me hesitant to pair Spendor S8e with my Nuforce-combination.

I now have found a pair of second hand Spendor S8e for a very good price, but quite a bit from where I live, which makes auditioning the speakers with my Nuforce gear almost impossible.

So,  what do you think? Is Spendor S8e a bad match with Nuforce Ref 9V2? My impression of the Spendor is that the need some power and that Spendors slightly warm sound would be perfect with the tight, powerful presentation of the Nuforce.

I really appreciate your feed-back on this topic.

[jaywills]

I have not tried Spendors with any NuForce hardware, but I did run a pair of SP 1/2's with home brew Hypex UcD 180 and 400 amps, which are also considered to be Class D.  I thought it was a wonderful combination.  Of course, YMMV.  Good luck.  Cordially,

[6rs]

Is Spendor S8e a bad match with Nuforce Ref 9V2? My impression of the Spendor is that the need some power and that Spendors slightly warm sound would be perfect with the tight, powerful presentation of the Nuforce.

I do own the Nuforce 9SE V2, to drive highly modded ATC SCM20 SL. I am using a RWA Isabella with them. Before the Nuforce, I have tried some other amplifiers with the same speakers (Tandberg, Spectral, RWA). In my experience, the Nuforce amps do NOT  impose any typical "sound". Instead they deliver a very neutral and transparent sound, without any limitations (due to their power and speed). Compared to the RWA Sig 30.2, they "sing"  less, however objectively the nuforce are superior in soundstage, frequency extensions (trebel and bass), authority and resolution. The Nuforce are not designed to impress, but to disappear in the chain. Since they do not impose any signature on the sound, it is the quality of the rest of the chain that becomes more crititcal.
In summary, I think you could really enjoy the Nuforce with the Spendor.

[pewe]

Thanks for your answers. My experiences with Nuforce are the same as yours and I really appreciate the "disappearing-act" that the Ref 9V2 does. Instead of listening to an amplifier you are listening to the speakers.

But what does the reviewer mean by saying that the Spendors are "...thumbing their nose at both the class D amplifiers I tried them with."?

I would really appreciate other Nuforce owners input about matching and of course Jason from Nuforce opinion is higly valued as well.

[6rs]

But what does the reviewer mean by saying that the Spendors are "...thumbing their nose at both the class D amplifiers I tried them with."?

Why not just ask him?

Greg Borrowman
Email: gborrowman@wolseleymedia.com.au

[pewe]

Thanks for the info. I've just sent him an e-mail and waiting for his response. I'll post his answer here if anyone is interested.

Other thoughts about Spendor together with Nuforce?