Active Analog Speakers Reviews, Power Amplifier Reviews

Playback Designs SPA-8 Stereo Amplifier – Quick Impression

Christiaan Punter 14 November 2025 No Comments

Listening

Although this was my first encounter with the Ensium, I was already familiar with Aequo Audio loudspeakers, having previously reviewed the Stilla and Stilla Active models. Although the Ensium has an active bass section, it is still transparent to the source. And contrary to popular belief, it is usually actually the midrange that consumes most power, not the bass.

When I entered the room, the SPA-8 was already connected and had been playing for most of the day, so the amplifier was well warmed up, even though its chassis barely felt warm to the touch. It seems that the heat dissipates very evenly over the amplifier’s massive surface. The amplifier uses 300 Watts in idle, and, of course, the heat has to go somewhere. Indeed, Aequo Audio’s Ivo and Paul confirmed that the room felt warmer once the amplifier was powered up.

Playing a selection of familiar music, the first thing I noticed was the clear, pure, and communicative midrange. However, rather than standing out from the mix, it was well-integrated. Neither lean nor shouty or overbearing, the midrange was realistic and inviting, and supported by a weighty but fast and expressive bass. This was what surprised me most about the SPA-8, because all amplifiers I had heard with this much power were characterized by either ponderous thickness, blur, restrained pacing, or all of these characteristics at once. Not so the SPA-8. It offered upbeat and inviting pacing, along with outstanding dynamic behavior, and clearly had power to spare; yet it never sounded processed or technical in the slightest. Its timbre was also clearly very natural. There was no smear or coloration that I could detect, and although the sound was liquid and free-flowing, it was not overly lush. Nevertheless, it had a decidedly un-electronic, natural, and tonally richly saturated portrayal of everything I played.

When swapping to the WestminsterLab Rei monos, we were all surprised by the massive difference. This was not a matter of gradations: it was night and day. It took me a minute or two to adjust, but then I confirmed that the Reis do indeed also sound excellent, even if they have a very different presentation from the Playback Designs SPA-8. As regular readers will know from my WestminsterLab review, I knew beforehand that the Reis are exceedingly neutral amplifiers, to the point of being entirely anonymous, and I have praised them for this quality. Heck, I found them even crisper and more direct than my CH Precision A1.5 amplifier. Nevertheless, I did not feel they lacked body or saturation in my reference system. It is worth noting that this is also precisely what the brand strives to deliver. On the other hand, I have found from my reviews of Playback Designs’ audio components, including the MPT-8 and MPD-8 currently in use, that they sound very natural and possess an analog-like sense of continuity and liquidity. This goes some way to explaining the perceived differences. The Playback Designs components indeed sound a little richer harmonically than my CH equipment, and by extension, the WestminsterLab Rei mono power amplifiers.

Naturally, this is only a superficial comparison of two very different products that have a significant price disparity, with the goal to help me understand the sound of the SPA-8 in this unfamiliar context. To truly appreciate the full performance of this amplifier, it should be compared to the largest, heaviest, and most powerful units out there, such as Gryphon, Vitus, Soulution, CH Precision, MSB, D’Agostino, and Halcro.

Additionally, going from my earlier experience with the Aequo Audio Stilla loudspeakers, I think it’s safe to say that the Aequo Audio Ensium’s presentation differs significantly from the Magico S1 MkII’s that I used when reviewing the Stillas, which offsets my mental reference, if that could even be considered reliable after this time. However, when listening with the Playback Designs SPA-8 on the Ensiums, with all the tracks I played, I never felt that the sound was fuller, warmer, or richer than what I consider natural. With this in mind, it seems that the SPA-8 is true to Playback Designs’ “house sound”: liquid, harmonically rich, and effortless, while remaining subjectively very neutral.

As a side note, whether desirable or not, I find that big power amplifiers can actually enhance the spaciousness compared to smaller or lower-power equivalents. However, this is not necessarily an accurate reproduction of what’s recorded. Further, the increase in size often comes at the cost of reduced clarity or even a sense of blur. The Reis, on the other hand, as pure and direct as they are, do not sound small per se, but they clearly do not create as large a soundstage as the SPA-8. So, do the Reis sound smaller than reality, or does the SPA-8 add some character after all? Well, if the Reis are the measure for utter neutrality, maybe it does, but I honestly can’t say that I heard it that way until we made the direct comparison.

For a more detailed analysis, I’d need to hear the amplifier in a more familiar environment, or with speakers that I am more familiar with. This is where the in-depth Aequo Audio Ensium review comes in. Following that review, I will return to the Aequo Audio showroom once more to refine my experience with the big, bold, yet beautiful SPA-8. On that occasion, I will also listen to the SPA-8 amplifier being fed directly from the MPD-8 Dream DAC’s analog outputs, as recommended by Playback Designs.

Preliminary Conclusion

Pending a deeper investigation, based on my preliminary experience, I believe the SPA-8 represents an ideal marriage between muscle and musicality. In my opinion, there are only a handful of truly great amplifiers in the world, and I have a feeling the SPA-8 is one of them. Naturally, that remains to be confirmed.

Naturally, its price makes it unattainable for most, but if the budget allows, the SPA-8 is definitely worth considering. Delivery and installation are best left to a professional moving company. If that can be arranged, I highly recommend taking it for a test run. If my descriptions resonate with you, there’s a good chance the moving company need not to return!