2. speakers
  3. 124932-78094

Help! Best amp for Rockport Aviors?

I recently purchased a pair of Rockport Aviors to replace my Dynaudio C2s. My system comprises of a Berkeley Reference DAC, Spectral DMC-30SS preamp, and Spectral DMA-260 stereo amp. My intial impression was disappointing - "hot" treble and a lack of low end slam. I assumed that my amp didn't have enough current to drive the Aviors properly so I auditioned the Spectral DMA-400 RS monos with the Aviors and that combo still didn't resonate in the way I first heard the Aviors (kicking myself for not noting the system). My current theory is that the Spectral gear (as much as I love it) isn't a good match for the Rockports; therefore, I have a bit of a quandary - ditch my Spectral system or the Aviors.

I know that Andrew uses a Gryphon stack to voice his speakers. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't kmow of a USA Gryphon dealer and wouldn't purchase a Gryphon component without hearing it in person first.

So cut to the chase: Avior owners out there - what do you drive them with that results in the "softer" treble and bass slam that I know these speakers are capable of. My current guess is to audition Pass Labs.
jason_john_howes
jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Any advice why? I was thinking of the 350.8 and XA200.B. Have you heard them with the Rockports?
almarg's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
almarg
8,673 posts
 
A possibility I would consider, especially with regard to the hot treble, is that digital noise at RF frequencies might somehow be coupling from the DAC, or from whatever is providing the digital signal to the DAC, into the circuitry of your preamp, and causing effects at audible frequencies as a result of intermodulation or other conceivable effects.

The ultra-wide bandwidth of your preamp is what brings that kind of possibility to mind. Although a similar possibility also exists with respect to the amp.

Possible coupling paths include interconnect cables, AC power wiring, and radiation through the air.

So I would focus on the preamp as well as on the amp. And before deciding how to proceed it might be worthwhile for experimental purposes to try whatever non-Spectral preamp you can readily get your hands on (that would be compatible with the 10K input impedance of your amp), that would presumably have a much less extended bandwidth and not respond to RF noise that the Spectral may be responding to.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Thanks Al!

A bit more information for you - just had a dedicated 20 amp line installed for the system and have used the requisite Spectral/MIT interconnects/speaker cables since day one. Would you suggest an AC power conditioner (e.g. Shunyata, etc.)? Or am I misunderstanding your suggestion?
jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Al - I should also mention that this same "hot" and "lean" characteristic is also present in analog sources feed directly to my preamp.
jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
One other data point - putting my C2s back into the system results in the "shouty" characteristic of voices that I was trying to improve upon (which the Aviors do) but they are less fatiguing to listed to and they appear to have another octave down on the Aviors, which makes NO sense to me.
More to discover