Wow, that's a real puzzler.
According to Stereophile's measurements of the BP25 and the XP-30 (the XP-30 being spec'd identically in terms of maximum gain to the XP-20), the XP-20 is likely to have about 7 db less gain than the BP25. But that doesn't seem like nearly enough of a difference to account for what you are describing.
Although I'd assume you are not using a subwoofer in conjunction with 801's, just to be sure, are the outputs of the amp connected to anything besides the 801's? If by any chance they are, since your amp has bridged outputs (with the negative output terminals of the amp therefore providing signals rather than being grounded), I'm thinking that differences in grounding between the two preamps could perhaps bring out a problem if the amp outputs are connected to anything containing powered circuitry.
Also, I believe the 801's have overload protection circuitry, and an LED that illuminates if an overload is detected. If so, are you sure that it is not illuminating?
Finally, do you still have the BP25, so that you can verify that the system still functions as it used to before you started using the XP-20? Or if not, is there some other preamp you could try?
That's about all I can think of at this point. Good luck.
-- Al
According to Stereophile's measurements of the BP25 and the XP-30 (the XP-30 being spec'd identically in terms of maximum gain to the XP-20), the XP-20 is likely to have about 7 db less gain than the BP25. But that doesn't seem like nearly enough of a difference to account for what you are describing.
Although I'd assume you are not using a subwoofer in conjunction with 801's, just to be sure, are the outputs of the amp connected to anything besides the 801's? If by any chance they are, since your amp has bridged outputs (with the negative output terminals of the amp therefore providing signals rather than being grounded), I'm thinking that differences in grounding between the two preamps could perhaps bring out a problem if the amp outputs are connected to anything containing powered circuitry.
Also, I believe the 801's have overload protection circuitry, and an LED that illuminates if an overload is detected. If so, are you sure that it is not illuminating?
Finally, do you still have the BP25, so that you can verify that the system still functions as it used to before you started using the XP-20? Or if not, is there some other preamp you could try?
That's about all I can think of at this point. Good luck.
-- Al