[scp2]

After starting a system that was more HT..I am now converting to more 2 channel with HT secondary.

Started by adding a Bolder modded Duet,Stella Preamp/Dac (SS/class A),Bryston 5 channel amp(120wpc) Von Schweikert vr4jr I discovered  what real 2 channel is about. Now I want more.

My goals are more room filling sound and to bring the sound stage forward.

My upgrade path, Modwright Transporter(ordered), Tube pre(looking at Cary slp05) , a powerful ss amp. Keep VSA speakers.

Was looking either Mcintosh Mc402 or Bryston 14bsst..then I discovered the Spectron and it sounds like the ticket.

Now should I order it with Bybee upgrade for $1150 extra?

Having  already ordered the TP and was looking at the Pre next...then found a special going on at Spectron.

Am I on a good path for my goals? Any help and suggestions are appreciated.

My room is large and open...but decent acoustic because of all the  furniture and accessories my wife likes.

[woodsyi]

I have Bybees all over the place (amps, speakers, power strip, etc) and their benefits are real but very small to me.  I would use that money on room (acoustic) treatment which makes a much bigger difference.

[woodsyi]

Oh, and if you want that phat sound, I would biamp with good tubes on top.  I do. 

[targa02]

Have you considered Wyred4Sound digital amps instead of Spectron?  They are also quite well reviewed and are considerably less expensive.  Rick Cullen is very easy to talk to. 

[TomS]

As long as you're looking at Spectron and Wyred, maybe the Cherry amps from Digital Amplifier Company
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=73119.0 

I recall one of the NY guys had good results on the VSA's though maybe that was bi-amped.

[scp2]

Guys thanks for the input.

Woody...yeh I did not say it but my long long range plans call for biamping tubes up top. BTW I have my Bryston biamped right now. Treatments to the room would be nice and will explore that at some point. This is my wife's living room as well as my listening room so I may have to get creative. I will post some pics soon to get ideas though.

I looked at Wyreds..but it has been a while..I will go back and look again...as I recall some said not as musical.

I looked at Cherry and found them to be out of my budget. Spectron has one heck of a special going right now or they would be out.

Barry

[WG]

scp2,

We have some similarities.  I have the Modwright Transporter, an SLP-05, and two Spectrons.  I am not running the Spectrons in monoblock.  My speakers have panel and bass module and am running a channel on each.  I went back and forth in my mind on the Bybee before purchase and ended up ordering them with this option.  I cannot comment on sound quality without these, but have been very pleased with the results, in particular the midrange has an excellent presence.  If I were to do it over again, I would order with the Bybee upgrade.  I have since sent them in and added the V-Cap option.  These reportedly take extended playing to reach their potential and I'm pretty early on with them since the upgrade. 

Overall, I think you will be quite pleased with the combo you are contemplating.  The tube front end influences with the Spectron works very well--excellent detail and dynamics coupled with smooth, intimate presence.  I upgraded from the stock rectifier on the SLP-05 to a Mullard Blackburn and found increased weight in the presentation.  If you are getting new or used with the original tubes, I would suggest some change there as well. 

Good luck,
Will

[K Shep]

I highly recommend acoustical treatment.  IMO the room is half of the equation.  You are looking at high-end gear, you must consider getting your room as close to perfect as it will go so that you will hear the difference as you upgrade your equipment.

[scp2]

I am sure my room will never be close to perfect. The complete right side wall is open to an entry way and stairway downstairs. I am sure my wife won't let me get to wild with treatments outside of stuff like thick window blinds on the two windows on the left side wall. Maybe some sort of treatment on the back wall. I know it's different..but I had a person that is well known for calibration do me for HT and he said accoustics were really pretty good.

I hope this upgrade isn't a waste ...I am thinking not...as my modest equipment sounds pretty good....like I said i want a little fuller sound...but most importatnt to me is a more forward sound stage.

Barry

[K Shep]

I am sure my room will never be close to perfect.

Nor will my room ever be perfect, thats why I said as close to perfect as it will go.  Take a look at GIK's site, they offer panels that look great and pass the WAF test.  IMO you are making great choices in mfg and I am a huge believer in the tube pre/SS amp approach.

Congratulations on your purchase and keep us posted as you grow your system.

GIK link:
http://www.gikacoustics.com/index.html

[satfrat]

Now should I order it with Bybee upgrade for $1150 extra?

Gee, how many Bybee's have they said they install for that much money? And what type Bybee? The standard ones are only $85 each. Me, I love my Bybee's. I better as I have 27 of them.    But I haven't tried  Jack Bybee's newer ones that are much more expensive but they're  said to be much more powerful too. Unless those Bybee's are the newer more expensive one, that's just too much money. I will say tho if you want Bybee's in your system, i'd recommend them at your speakers, either soldered inside on your driver terminals or as speaker adapters on the terminals. I'll never be w/o mine,,, ever!
 
Cheers,
Robin

[scp2]

The Bybees are added to the power supply and are the "special effect" SE model.

Anyway I said what the heck and ordered the amp today with the Bybees. If I hadn't got them I would have always wondered.  Spectron allowed me to put a sizable deposit and take delivery in a little over a month.

I will give a report...but it is going to be a while. In the mean time the Modwright TP should be here in a few days and I will report about it.

Thanks for everyone's input