What should I upgrade first amp or preamp?


I need your help. I have OPPO BDP-105 connected to PASS Labs XP-10 and XA-30.5 driving 89 dB at 4 Ohm Snell C7. Looking to upgrade my system and planning to spend $ 3000-4000. I live in the apartment building and unfortunately can't listen to music very loud (no more than 58-62 on the XP-10 display).
What would you suggest to do, upgrade preamp to XP-20 first or amp to two XA-60.5 or to XA-100.5 and why. Upgrading an amp is more problematic due to the space constrains.
What will I gain and what should be the difference in sound in each of those cases?
Thank you.
karapuz

Showing 1 response by tls49

I’m also thinking the XP-20 due to the much larger power supply. I say this from experience with another Nelson Pass preamp, the Threshold FET10. I owned the original, then added the larger upgraded “e” power supply, and then upgraded to the FET10e. The power supply upgrade was the most significant step up in overall performance between the two changes.