What a crock of sh*t! If you follow all this advice, you'd: replace pre-amp, amp, speakers, speaker cable, interconnects, add a power conditioner/regenerator, DAC, ... Would you be any happier? Would you enjoy your listening sessions any more? If you do make any changes, make them one at a time, giving yourself sufficient time in between changes to understand the differences you have achieved. Fun hobby, but sometimes we stress unnecessarily!
More watts or better power ?
Hello, I am currently running a PS Audio BHK Preamp, which has a tube input stage, to a Pass Labs XA25, Class A (50watts at 4 ohms) power Amp, into a pair of Sonus Faber Minima Amator II bookshelf speakers. My system sounds very good, and at 4ohms, I have 50 watts of power to my speakers, which is on the lower end of their rating.
What would be a better investment (most bang for the buck) into the system? Replace the XA25 with a higher watt amp (PS Audio BHK 250?), or spend the same money on a power conditioner (PS Audio Power Plant II?) Or upgrade the Minima Amator (which are sounding very good) to another set of speakers.
The system is in my bedroom, I have a very small house, hence the smaller Sonus Faber Speakers. I have beenplaying around with an SVS micro sub as well.
Other system parts, Clear Audio Concept/ Concept MC, Pass Labs XP15, Little Green Roon Server, Schitt Yiggi, and a Luxman MQ 88 Tube amp in rotation.
Appreciate your input
Mark O
What would be a better investment (most bang for the buck) into the system? Replace the XA25 with a higher watt amp (PS Audio BHK 250?), or spend the same money on a power conditioner (PS Audio Power Plant II?) Or upgrade the Minima Amator (which are sounding very good) to another set of speakers.
The system is in my bedroom, I have a very small house, hence the smaller Sonus Faber Speakers. I have beenplaying around with an SVS micro sub as well.
Other system parts, Clear Audio Concept/ Concept MC, Pass Labs XP15, Little Green Roon Server, Schitt Yiggi, and a Luxman MQ 88 Tube amp in rotation.
Appreciate your input
Mark O
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- 65 posts total
Sell both of these and get an Integrated 120w Gryphon Diablo 120 it has the Class-A sound of the XA25 but with heap more wattage and grunt (current) also. https://gryphon-audio.dk/shop/integrated-amplifiers/diablo-120/ https://gryphon-audio.dk/shop/integrated-amplifiers/gryphon-diablo-300-integrated-amplifier/ Cheers George |
I think your Amp is probably a good match and if you like your speakers don't change them, they are going to define the sound of your system more than anything else. There are 2 places I'd consider an upgrade in your system. I'd definitely add some power treatmenr. I purchased a PS Audio power plant as was absolutely blown away by the difference. I got a power plant premier on the used market for 800 or so. Great investment. And then I see you have a digital and analog front end. Which do you use more? If the answer is analog, I might step up the turntable. It's a great high end entry unit but if you went with the next in their line like a performance DC, tracer arm, and maybe a Hana ML1200 you'd really be stepping it up. |
Very nice collection you have. Unless you need more volume, nonononono Unless that stylus is worn, the only thing I would be tempted to do is find a sub (or pair of small subs). Who aligned the cartridge? Do you have alignment skills and tools? If not, research, learning and a few tools would lead to a nice achievement. How big is the room? Listening position to appreciate imaging? Tubes: a simple tube tester is a nice thing to have. |
- 65 posts total