Spectron amplifier - new black faceplate?

Hi,

I bought Musician III SE Mk2 with Bybee and VCap upgrades -slightly used but in good shape. I am listening to it for a second day and for my WATT/Puppy the sound is better then with McIntosh 2102. May be in midrange tube amp slightly better may be its my imagination - so close they are both. I will get HiFiTune Fuses and that will settles it. However, overall sound - soundstage, imaging, dynamic range, bass - all is better with Spectron. Even highs are silkier - no question about it!

I will not buy 2nd amp. I am sure that two monoblocks are better then one stereo - however I am happy with what I have.

Thank you all for your advices
Mike

Hello Mike,

I would express my personal opinion but from my experience I believe that pair of stock of Musician III monoblocks will sound much better then one Musician III with all upgrades.

Better in three-dimensionality, better in finesse, liquidity. To my surprise I do not hear so much improvement in dynamic range and bass or more correct - I do hear improvement there but not in a degree of the improvement in three-dimensionality and finesse.

John and Simon from Spectron explain it that when you use their monoblocks - all distortions originated in the amplifiers cancel each other completely and you listen to music without (amplifier induced) distortions.

All The Best
Rafael

The rail (internal) four fuses in both Spectrons are now replaced with HiFi Tuning’s. Results are more than pleased. Any kinds of sibilants gone, highs become cleaner, bas tighter, focus stronger, stage excellent… music simply shine. Everything moved near to reality. So, I would say that replacement of rail fuses is something worth to be tweaked.

Best regards,
Boris

Hello Boris,

Actually you are correct. About 8 months ago, I helped to introduce, in Spectron amps, ceramic silver Audio Acme internal (rail) fuses because four-five HiFi Tuning were way too expensive and people who wanted them could upgrade their amplifiers by themselves.

A few days ago, I have learned that Spectron Production found that Acme Audio fuses fail a lot and they started to use regular (like in Radio Shack) fuses.

While I don;t know if you replaced four ceramic ACME Audio fuses or regular ones - for the owners of recent Musician III Mk2 or Hybrids Mk2 I would definetely recommend that you did - exchange their rail fuses for HiFi Tuning Fuses. The main fuse is HiFiTuning Fuse.

Let me remind that you if you go for this upgrade then you need Fast Blow, 10-12 Amp, 32 mm fuses and Cable Company (salesperson is John Pharo) is giving Spectron discounts.

Thank you again Boris for drawing my attention to this matter.

Simon

I just checked my Spectron main fuses in my 2 amps and they were Hi-Fi Tuning, but to my horror one of the fuses had "leaked" the internal damping material into the fuse holder - it was a sorry mess to clean up. At first, I thought maybe a cap had leaked, but it was just the fuse. The fuse was obviously still working and until I replace it I assume the fuse itself is OK, just the ceramic damping oozed out.

I am moving to Furutech and I recommend all Spectron owners to check their amp(s)

Steve