Hi, I am just starting to upgrade and would appreciate any feedback. I bought the Conrad-Johnson amp and pre-amp last year and am looking to build on those pieces. Recently, I purchased the Spendor S8e speakers and the Simaudio Moon Nova CD player on Audiogon to try them out.
My old speakers were Vandersteen 1Bs, which actually sound quite nice with the C-J gear. However, the system was too laid back and I wanted a little more detailed, clear sound. I mostly listen to classical and jazz (esp. jazz vocals), with some pop/alternative.
I haven't done much research on interconnects. I think my current weak link is in the CD->pre interconnect. Any suggestions or upgrade possibilities from people who have heard similar systems would be most welcome!
practical and decent-looking component cabinet-- has just enough ventilation to keep the fronts closed, though the back needed to be removed behind the amp.
Glad to hear you are enjoying the Spendors...I will try switching the polarity as per your message on my system page. Unfortunately I am in temporary housing for the short term and do not have the ideal setup for my speakers, so I may wait till I move this summer to eliminate the poor speaker arrangement I have going now. Your post on my page reminded me that I need to update my list! In any regard I'm glad to hear the speakers and CD player have worked out. Down the road I may try to add seperate pre/amp...but for now I will have to live with the MF A5 (poor me)...life is difficult! I am going to try a small tubed amp with my S3e's...perhaps that will cause me to buy a tubed amp for the 8's? Stay in touch...
Understood...let the speakers break in for a while...but they do sound really good right out of the box. Innerconnects tried have been Straightwire Encore II which are relatively inexpensive ($80-90) but sounded good...a little warmer and less detail got through than the Nordost. Very interested to hear what you think about Sim, CJ and Spendor coupling. Please do fill me in. By the by, I also heard Spendor with Analysis Plus wires which my dealer recommends as do several other Spendor dealers...I might try them out for kicks but I am thrilled with the Nordost for my budget. Your system is similar to mine given that you are using all solid sate except one component...I too am using all ss except for the CD player which is tubed. Keep in touch.
How do you like your Spendor's? I'm using Nordost Red Dawn Rev II for speaker wire and innerconnect with my S8e's. Really clear sound...Musical Fidelity A5 CD and Integrated. I assume the components have more to do with which wires to use then speaker brand. But, the cost of Nordost is dropping nicely and really speeds up the tube amps nicely. Your gear is a cut above mine so I'd assume you might want to look into wires above the RD series. Good Luck.
