Amazon.com Review

Shorter than many traditional speaker stands, the SS-1s (also available in rosewood and French sycamore) are optimized for use with the Red Rose Music Spirit studio monitors. The stands come with screws to quickly and securely fasten the speakers in place. When attached, the speakers point gently upward, radiating their sound toward ear level for seated listening.

In our testing, the stands' angle proved sufficient for achieving satisfying direct as well as indirect sound (as when standing) in small to medium-sized rooms. Bear in mind, however, that the ribbon-tweetered Spirit speakers are more "directional" than speakers with cone tweeters tend to be, requiring focused, line-of-sound listening for optimal enjoyment. Speakers are not included!--Michael Mikesell ... Read more

Features

• Custom stands for Red Rose Music Spirit speakers
• Attractive Plexiglas construction
• Places speakers at correct angle for optimum listening
• Includes fasteners, spikes, and protective floor mounts for spikes
• Easy to set up and position

Features

• 8 heavy-duty Hubbell brand outlets
• Detachable, highly flexible 10-gauge power cord (4 feet)
• High-quality magnetic circuit breaker
• Quiet Line filters on each outlet
• Maximum AC power noise filtration for clean audio and video from your AV components

Reviews (1)

Didn't do anything for me
I tried out Red Rose's more expensive Foundation II in my system and couln't hear any difference in A/B tests. It could be that my 80-year old building happens to have clean power, but that seems doubtful.

The unit is well constructed and the power cord is impressive looking, but I think there are better places to put your money on under ten thousand dollar sounds systems. ... Read more

Features

• Exceptionally pure sound transmission
• Black and red cables with 336 strands each
• Each strand of hair-fine, high-purity, oxygen-free copper
• Highly flexible construction
• Spade lug terminations

Amazon.com Review

Beautiful to see and even more beautiful to hear, the Spirit studio monitor from Mark Levinson's Red Rose Music is easily one of the finest speakers ever fashioned. Flawless design, solid engineering, and careful component selection unite in a speaker that's profoundly musical--stunningly coherent and utterly convincing in its delivery of nearly any program.

Levinson has had his hands in high-end audio for more than 30 years now, and his deep commitment to musical rightness and sonic accuracy serves the Spirit well.

The Spirit, also available in French sycamore, is all about smoothness and detail, muscularity as well as sensitivity. In our listening, the Spirit showed itself capable of being nearly all things to all music, as the music and our recordings required. Its appreciable bass output extends below 50 Hz, and--largely because of the speaker's uncanny way with sound--we found that only the most bass-intensive music (dance and techno music, certain organ works) demanded a bigger speaker.

Key to the speaker's success is its tweeter, a hand-formed aluminum ribbon rather than the traditional small fabric dome. Voices and acoustic instruments sound downright holographic, their natural harmonics both present and balanced, owing as much to the high quality of the crossover (which splits the incoming signal between the 5-inch woofer and the tweeter) as to the speaker's impressive high-frequency extension. Sounds often lost or unnoticed in playback through lesser speakers seem to appear out of nowhere, giving important (if subtle) spatial cues that help define a sense of space around the music.

If the tweeter sounds delicate, know that it is--you won't want to blow on it or place the speaker where it can be bumped or jostled. Keep the speaker clear of TVs and computer monitors as well, since the tweeters require strong magnetic fields that can distort video signals.

Red Rose makes short, custom speaker stands for the Spirit in French sycamore, rosewood, and transparent Plexiglas, though they also sound great on sturdy ear-level stands.

The only caveat we noted in listening is the distance from the speaker to the listening position. For best effect, the Spirit deserves to be heard relatively near field (from five to eight feet away) and in a fairly nonreflective environment--carpeting and bookshelves are a plus. The off-axis response changes pretty radically along the vertical plane, so be sure to position the pair carefully, according to your taste or to the sage guidelines in the Spirit's manual.

Even at more than a thousand dollars a pair, the Spirit is not just a strong value, but a true bargain. You won't find anything approaching this degree of refinement and musical ability at anything close to this low a price. If you're serious about music, the only question you'll have later is how you ever lived so long without them. --Michael Mikesell

Pros:

• Jaw-droppingly refined sound
• Holographic stereo "imaging"
• Impressive bass heft for their size
• Superb drivers
• Simple setup
• Premium-quality cosmetics and construction

Cons:

• Slightly limited bass output
• Off-axis sound changes quickly

Features

• Attractive rosewood veneer finish
• Hand-formed ribbon tweeter
• Ported design extends bass below 50 Hz
• 5-inch woofer with lightweight voice coil and carbon-fiber cone
• Large binding posts accept wire, spade, or single banana terminations

Amazon.com Review

Red Rose Music's elegant Spirit system produces luscious, authoritative sound from simple and compact components, giving you the Spirit studio monitors, Spirit 336-30 speaker cables, and the Spirit integrated amplifier at a significant savings over their equivalent per-item prices.

Designed for high-bandwidth, high-resolution digital and analog stereo source components like SACD players, DVD players, and turntables, as well as traditional CD players, the Spirit system (also available in rosewood) is nothing short of stunning in its ability to render detailed, dynamic, and ultimately effortless music in the space between and beyond its speakers.

Quality and simplicity are clearly the name of the game here. In our testing, setup was a breeze, and we found that operation couldn't be simpler: on, off, volume, go.

At just 4.5 inches wide, 11 inches deep, and 8.25 inches high, the amplifier is actually smaller than it looks in its picture--but its sound is world-class. Rated at a mere 35 watts RMS per channel into 8 ohms (from 20 to 20,000 Hz with less than .25 percent distortion; 60 watts RMS into 4 ohms), it drives the sensitive Spirit speakers with graceful ease, supporting everything from the dynamic snaps of snare drums to the resonant thunder of acoustic bass.

The Spirit studio monitor is all about smoothness and detail, muscularity as well as sensitivity. In our listening, it showed itself capable of being nearly all things to all music, as the music and our recordings required. Its appreciable bass output extends below 50 Hz, and--largely because of the speaker's uncanny way with sound--we found that only large rooms and the most bass-intensive music demanded a bigger speaker.

Key to the speaker's success is its tweeter, a hand-formed aluminum ribbon rather than the traditional small fabric dome. Voices and acoustic instruments sound downright holographic, their natural harmonics both present and balanced, owing as much to the high quality of the crossover (which splits the incoming signal between the 5-inch woofer and the tweeter) as to the speaker's impressive high-frequency extension.

If the tweeter sounds delicate, know that it is--you won't want to blow on it or place the speaker where it will be in danger of being bumped or jostled. Red Rose makes short, custom speaker stands for the Spirit in French sycamore, rosewood, and transparent Plexiglas, though they also sound great on sturdy ear-level stands.

The system overall sounds its best in small to midsize rooms (bedrooms, dens, confined living rooms), but will likely amaze you in any near-field listening spot. A position 5 to 8 feet from the speakers was choice in our listening.

Is the package a little pricey? By most standards, yes. But in its sonic and supremely musical abilities, the Spirit system outshines many high-end systems commanding several times its price. If you're saving up for something special, the Spirit is an unqualified bargain. --Michael Mikesell

Pros:

• Extremely detailed and natural sound
• Holographic stereo "imaging"
• Tremendous dynamic kick
• Superb speaker drivers
• Simple setup
• Premium-quality cosmetics and construction

Cons:

• Slightly limited bass output
• Not suited to large rooms

Features

• Significant savings over individual purchase of separate components
• Includes 35-watt-per-channel integtrated amplifier (0.25 percent distortion, 20 to 20,000 Hz), stereo bookshelf speakers, and speaker cable
• Matched components for best sound reproduction
• Hand-formed ribbon tweeters (speakers)
• Gold-plated terminals and input/output connectors (amplifier)

Reviews (1)

Incredible Audio System
This is an incredible stereo system. While some people may balk at the lack of wiz-bang features like surround sound, once your here this you won't care. I've auditioned systems that cost 10 times as much and don't sound nearly as good. Don't worry about this like the lack of wattage or a subwoofer. This system sounds great, that's the important thing.

The best part about this system is that it was designed as a system. Many audio buffs spend way to much time finding components that sound good with one another. Red Rose has already done this for you.

Be sure to get two things along with this. First, good speaker stands (the ones they sell here on amazon.com are a compromise, get Red Rose's Rosebud stands, they'll elevate the speaker to your ear height, which is extemely important to get the most out of the system). Second, a half descent SACD player. This system was made for the hi-fidelity sound of SACDs. Even a low end SACD player will sound better than a several thousand dollar CD player. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Beautiful to see and even more beautiful to hear, the Spirit studio monitor from Mark Levinson's Red Rose Music is easily one of the finest speakers ever fashioned. Flawless design, solid engineering, and careful component selection unite in a speaker that's nothing if not profoundly musical--stunningly coherent and utterly convincing in its delivery of nearly any program.

Levinson has had his hands in high-end audio for more than 30 years now, and his deep commitment to musical rightness as well as sonic accuracy serves the Spirit well.

The Spirit, also available in rosewood, is all about smoothness and detail, muscularity as well as sensitivity. In our listening, the Spirit showed itself capable of being nearly all things to all music, as the music and our recordings required. Its appreciable bass output extends below 50 Hz, and--largely because of the speaker's uncanny way with sound--we found that only the most bass-intensive music (dance and techno music, certain organ works) demanded a bigger speaker.

Key to the speaker's success is its tweeter, a hand-formed aluminum ribbon rather than the traditional small fabric dome. Voices and acoustic instruments sound downright holographic, their natural harmonics both present and balanced, owing as much to the high quality of the crossover (which splits the incoming signal between the 5-inch woofer and the tweeter) as to the speaker's impressive high-frequency extension. Sounds often lost or unnoticed in playback through lesser speakers seem to appear out of nowhere, giving important (if subtle) spatial cues that help define a sense of space around the music.

If the tweeter sounds delicate, know that it is--you won't want to blow on it or place the speaker where it will be in danger of being bumped or jostled. Keep the speaker clear of TVs and computer monitors as well, since the tweeters require strong magnetic fields that can distort video signals.

Red Rose makes short, custom speaker stands for the Spirit in French sycamore, rosewood, and transparent Plexiglas, though they also sound great on sturdy ear-level stands.

The only caveat we noted in listening is the distance from the speaker to the listening position. For best effect, the Spirit deserves to be heard relatively near field (from five to eight feet away) and in a fairly nonreflective environment--carpeting and bookshelves are a plus. The off-axis response changes pretty radically along the vertical plane, so be sure to position the pair carefully, according to your taste or to the sage guidelines in the Spirit's manual.

Even at more than a thousand dollars a pair, the Spirit is not just a strong value, but a true bargain. You won't find anything approaching this degree of refinement and musical ability at anything close to this low a price. If you're serious about music, the only question you'll have later is how you ever lived so long without it. --Michael Mikesell

Pros:

• Jaw-droppingly refined sound
• Holographic stereo "imaging"
• Impressive bass heft for their size
• Superb drivers
• Simple setup
• Premium-quality cosmetics and construction

Cons:

• Slightly limited bass output
• Off-axis sound changes quickly

Features

• Attractive French sycamore veneer finish
• Hand-formed ribbon tweeters
• Ported design extends bass below 50 Hz
• 5-inch woofer with lightweight voice coil and carbon-fiber cone
• Large binding posts accept wire, spade, or single banana terminations

Features

• Significant savings over individual purchase of separate components
• Includes 35-watt-per-channel integtrated amplifier (0.25 percent distortion, 20 to 20,000 Hz), stereo bookshelf speakers, and speaker cable
• Matched components for best sound reproduction
• Hand-formed ribbon tweeters (speakers)
• Gold-plated terminals and input/output connectors (amplifier)

Reviews (1)

Incredible Audio System
This is an incredible stereo system. While some people may balk at the lack of wiz-bang features like surround sound, once your here this you won't care. I've auditioned systems that cost 10 times as much and don't sound nearly as good. Don't worry about this like the lack of wattage or a subwoofer. This system sounds great, that's the important thing.

The best part about this system is that it was designed as a system. Many audio buffs spend way to much time finding components that sound good with one another. Red Rose has already done this for you.

Be sure to get two things along with this. First, good speaker stands (the ones they sell here on amazon.com are a compromise, get Red Rose's Rosebud stands, they'll elevate the speaker to your ear height, which is extemely important to get the most out of the system). Second, a half descent SACD player. This system was made for the hi-fidelity sound of SACDs. Even a low end SACD player will sound better than a several thousand dollar CD player. ... Read more

Features

• Compact,vertical standing design
• Attractive silver matte finish
• Simple, easy-to-use control panel
• Gold-plated speaker binding posts and input connectors
• Four line-level inputs 1 line-level output

Reviews (2)

Too good not to audition
Just got back from C.E.S. 2003. Spent a couple of days days at the High End Audio Show. Listened to dozens upon dozens of stratopherically priced systems, then heard this little integrated amp with the Spirit speakers. Wow! This little system produced more emotion, with greater clarity, than almost anything else I heard. It is extremely important that you suspend all your preconceived notions about price = performance.
In the right room, a fairly small one, this system will provide uncolored, superb sound. Needless to say I have ordered the amp and the speakers, in French sycamore, no less....can't wait.

Review the product, not the celeb
Seems like Mark Levinson's storied past as a high priest of high end sparks some green-eyed problems for customers who haven't heard the more modestly priced Red Rose boxes, but enjoy leaping to conclusions. No, these four-figure units won't blow away the branded Levinson systems that fetch four and five times as much from no-holds-barred audiophiles with big stock portfolios, but the price-performance ratio is terrific. The Spirit amp matches the specs and sound of their original Rosette amp, but carries a slightly redesigned front panel, and foregoes some tweaks (like a remote) that are being made to the Rosette. At this price, the trade-off is still in the listener's favor. I auditioned a number of familiar CDs (no, NOT the SACDs that Levinson himself would prefer we embrace) on the Spirit system, and both amp and speakers sounded stunning, tackling everything from deep-dish chamber jazz to the Berlin Philharmonic to pipe organ with aplomb, and meeting or beating anything I've heard anywhere near this price.

To the skeptics weighing in against the designs because of Levinson's involvement (ironic, in light of his rep among high end merchants and consumers), a little research (ever heard of Google?) offers food for thought. The underlying design work reflects the innovations of a Swedish speaker designer, Bo Bengtssen, and an American electronics engineer, Victor Tiscareno; Levinson's primary contribution, beyond his name and investment, was pairing Bengtssen's ribbon-tweeter speaker strategy with Tiscareno's purist approach to amplifier design, and encouraging these collaborators to shoot for great sound at modest prices. (Red Rose can and does offer more exalted performance at substantially higher price points, via the higher end units they sell at their own boutique in NYC.)

You don't get this level of sound at these prices without sacrifices, but those I could detect were essentially issues of scale and convenience. The Spirit speakers won't fill a ballroom or a two-storey living room in a McMansion, and the ribbons are highly directional, but sampled in the sort of modest living rooms that real world occupants inhabit, on-axis, they reproduce music beautifully. The amp's minimalist input scheme won't support a wide number of sources, and vinyl loyalists will probably need to spend as much on a separate phono pre-amp as they did on the amp if they want to use a turntable; in other words, the Spirit resembles most of the high-end separates that pointy-headed alpha audiophiles applaud and willingly underwrite with even bigger checks. You got a problem with that? ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Shorter than many traditional speaker stands, the SS-1s (also available in rosewood and transparent Plexiglas) are optimized for use with the Red Rose Music Spirit studio monitors. The stands come with screws to quickly and securely fasten the speakers in place. When attached, the speakers point gently upward, radiating their sound toward ear level for seated listening.

In our testing, the stands' angle proved sufficient for achieving satisfying direct as well as indirect sound (as when standing) in small to medium-sized rooms. Bear in mind, however, that the ribbon-tweetered Spirit speakers are more "directional" than speakers with cone tweeters tend to be, requiring focused, line-of-sound listening for optimal enjoyment. Speakers are not included!--Michael Mikesell ... Read more

Features

• Custom stands for Red Rose Music Spirit speakers
• Attractive French sycamore veneer finish
• Places speakers at correct angle for optimum listening
• Includes fasteners, spikes, and protective floor mounts for spikes
• Easy to set up and position

Features

• Exceptionally pure sound transmission
• Silver wire In Litz construction
• Uses 3 pure silver conductors
• High-quality machined RCA connectors
• Highly flexible construction

Reviews (1)

Sounds like a less expensive monster cable
I A/B tested this cable against a monster cable costing 1/5 as much. While there were very minor differences in the sounds, it was virtually indiscernible. One of my friends actually preferred the sound of the less expensive cable. Red Rose's main components are great, but I wouldn't bother with this. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Shorter than many traditional speaker stands, the SS-1s (also available in French sycamore and transparent Plexiglas) are optimized for use with the Red Rose Music Spirit studio monitors. The stands come with screws to quickly and securely fasten the speakers in place. When attached, the speakers point gently upward, radiating their sound toward ear level for seated listening.

In our testing, the stands' angle proved sufficient for achieving satisfying direct as well as indirect sound (as when standing) in small to medium-sized rooms. Bear in mind, however, that the ribbon-tweetered Spirit speakers are more "directional" than speakers with cone tweeters tend to be, requiring focused, line-of-sound listening for optimal enjoyment. Speakers are not included!--Michael Mikesell ... Read more

Features

• Custom stands for Red Rose Music Spirit speakers
• Attractive rosewood veneer finish
• Places speakers at correct angle for optimum listening
• Includes fasteners, spikes, and protective floor mounts for spikes
• Easy to set up and position

Features

• Eight outlets
• 14-gauge, 3-meter power cord
• Power spike suppression
• Noise suppression
• Quality outlet pairs