The Fastest most musical amp

My recollection is that Spectral and Goldmund have the highest slew rates among solid state amplifiers (1,000 volts per microsecond, I think). Atma-Sphere is certainly among the fastest tube amps, with a slew rate of 600 volts per microsecond. Note that 50 volts per microsecond is a typical solid state slew rate, and 25 volts per microsecond is probably typical for a push-pull tube amp.

Since I'm an Atma-Sphere dealer that's where most of my experience lies as far as "fast" amplifiers goes. Atma-Sphere amps really like to be driven by Atma-Sphere tube amps, using balanced connections. I would expect likewise that there's a very good synergy between Spectral amps & preamps, and between Goldmund amps & preamps.

I would not see the Spectral/MIT combination as some kind of sacred bond. I bet Spectral amps sound just fine with other high-quality cables.

Best of luck in your quest!

Duke

I agree that fast + tubes equals Blue Circle. The Naim gear is fast also...

Duke: you can actually damage Spectral amps, in particular the newest ones, without MIT/Spectral cables. The MIT cables act as a low pass filter to eliminate any HF hash getting through.

..i agree with 'audiokinesis' regarding the goldmund. i have a goldmund 29m and have had tenor 7w wis' prior to the goldmund and the goldmund is the fastest amp i have ever heard.it is also as musical as the tenor and does everything the tenor does but better.that being my opinion but also the opinion of those few lucky enough to have heard the 29m.as for preamp..i use an audio tekne 'simona' which is a tubed preamp with all point to point wiring.the combination is unbelievable.good luck

Iam sure there are more musical and fast amp out there
But I thought the SA 100 is the most musical Ive heard
until the SA 102 put it class A untouchable but its 5k
i think, just ask Jademo on AG.By the way The SA 100
and 102 are both Plinius.IMO