And old timer, Marantz PM4 Esotec powered S8E quite nicely. Warm relax sound, with adequate lower extension. But after a while I'm itching to find better partner for the Spendor.
Came along BAT VK300X SE. Good detail, sometimes too detailed though. S8E lower extension a little loose. Time for another amp!
ATC SIA2 150mk2 looks like a winner. So I tried the UK's fav int amp. Huge soundstage. One of the best! But I'm looking for something more relax and warm. And ATC didn't provide complete control. Somehow lacking power..
After reading on Audiogon about Accuphase integrated. I was quite sure this was the amp, I've been looking for. Bought it blindly. Thankfuly it's a happy ending. E408 controls S8E beautifully. Tight lower freq, lush midrange, and a lil' bit rolled of high (just what I'm looking for exactly. Since the source is all hi-rez audio file). Power reserve is plenty. I seldom raise volume above 20% (the living room is biggish, 8x10m with high ceiling).
Very nice system. Clean and simple which I like. I have the Cary Xciter DAC also and enjoy it but listen to vinyl mostly. How do you like the Spendors? Speakers will be my next upgrade. I have had my Snell E IIIs so long and now have a decent amp and front ends on digital and analog side I think it is time for a speaker upgrade. I am thinking monitors though, but think I will miss the full range of floorstanders. What is in your main rig if this is the second system?
Prior finding suitable amp for s8e. I've also tried ATC SIA2-150 mk2 (great soundstage, strong vocal presence, but I'm missing piano and bass instruments accuracy), Cary class D amp(very sweet for vocal, but worst for anything else), Roksan Kandy K2 (good amp for the money, suitable for efficent speaker), Creek A50V.
