I can try the Bluesound.
The Orchid cannot vary the volume.
Pass Labs XA25 without preamp (from a variable output source) vs INT25
Hi!
I just have a single source system (a DAC with a high quality variable output) so what would be the best aounding option? DAC direct to XA25 through the variable output or DAC with fixed output and an INT25?
Reading between lines it seems INT25 looses some transparency and gravitates to a warm sound compared to the very clean and transparent sound the XA25 provides. I love a transparent, rich and 3D sound but I don't want a lean sound.
Anyone here uses the XA25 without preamp from a high quality variable output source?
Thanks!
Showing 5 responses by hilde45
I have exactly this question! This may help? https://www.audioshark.org/pass-labs-71/pass-xa25-14006-page2.html#post285047 |
UPDATE: Ok, I listened for about an hour. I think the preamp is needed. (Mine is in the shop.) Why? The dimensionality of the soundstage is much reduced and there is a raw quality to some of the recordings where before there was a smoother and more liquid quality. In short: I retract my earlier claim that it sounds good. With my relatively inexpensive streamer (but nice DAC), I still want my tube preamp back. Also, it couldn't play above about 78 db. |
@joegt Yes, same DAC. My setup is BlueSound Node 2i --> Orchid DAC --> XA25 Honestly, I *wanted* to like it. I hoped I had found a magical way to cut out the preamp. Here's what a friend said about my experiment: "you lose some layering not going through a tube amp. I’d expect it to be a tad more grainy, less depth, and not as smooth....An active preamp is one of THE most important components ina lower efficiency system. Using a Node’s preamp section and volume control is gonna be limiting. An XA-25 would reveal all limitations of a directly connected source like (the preamp section) of a Node2i." |