2. amps-preamps
  3. 1346566056

ARC LS25 with PASS X250 - bad match? Seems bright.

I just switched my amp from an arc VT100mkII to the PASS X250. Upon doing so, I heard more brightness and even harshness in my system. I have heard that the PASS amps are not bright, so I am suspecting either a system mismatch, or that the X250 is more linear and is revealing another source of brightness in my system, that the tube amp perhaps was masking.

System:
Rockport Mira Monitors
Wisdom SCS Subwoofer
PASS X250
Audio Research LS25 mk I
Bryston 10b Sub crossover
Cambridge DacMagic
PS Audio GCPH
J.A. Michell Tecnodek
Dynavector 10x5
Cardas 100b microtwin balanced interconnects
Cardas Cross speaker cables

I am having a feeling that maybe my source components are not up to par with the rest, and that may be the cause of the harsh brightness at times. Or, that the PASS does not like the ARC LS25. What do you think?

Thanks!
Mark
marktomaras

Showing 1 response by steveaudio

steveaudio
331 posts
 
I owned a VT100mkII, & it's pretty neutral sounding "for a tube amp", but still, it's unmistakably a tube amp. Why did you want a different amp?

I looked at your cables, they're on the "budget" end of Cardas cables, is that right? My experience is that the "budget" Cardas cables are not that great, you have to go to the higher end Cardas to really get the sound Cardas is known for. So I'd really put cables on the list of possible upgrades, along with the DAC, apparently.
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