Bruce B
WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
$38,000.00
Isn't that about the same price as the Dartzeel that comes with phono?
$38,000.00
Thank you Frank! I appreciate your findings.
And Joe, Pass goes great with Sonus Faber! How can you not have a Pass amp or pre amp in that stable of your's?
Isn't that about the same price as the Dartzeel that comes with phono?
Hahahahahahaha
Don't think that hasn't crossed my mind
XP-30 plus XA-60.5's could be fun on the Strads
I think you'd need a little more power.
I had them side by side.
The Xs is significantly better but it also depends on the rest of your system. When I listened to the Xs Pre amp and XP30 with XA100.5s, the differences were there but not as clearly as when the Xs300s were on the other end.
The Xs Pre amp is more open and natural. Better bass definition. The XP30 sounds like it has a little glare in the midrange and highs in comparison.
Soundstage is better defined as in your ability to hear individual players in their own space on a real or imaginary stage is further enhanced with the Xs in comparison to the XP30. I'm in my office right now. Can't remember everything.
As always, everyone has an opinion. What's important to me or what I see as being worth the extra money might not be as important to someone else.
The XP30 is an excellent preamp but the Xs is better in every regard. Is it worth more than double the price of the XP30?
I think I'd be okay with that. I don't play very loud and the Strads are 92 dB efficient.
Oh, somehow I thought you had went from the XP-30 to ARC and then to the XS-pre. Didn't realize you had them both at the same time.
At some point I hope to do my own side-by-side comparison. If the XS has less glare than the XP-30 it would make me very happy.
In my own experience, adding a huge amount of power behind the Strads comes thru even at low volumes. It is the bass punch and power even at low levels...it is the exceptional clarity that comes from giving the Strads unlimited juice to keep entire musical sections clear, effortless, delineated, etc...It really does respond well to lots of power. I cannot say I gave it the world's most powerful amp or anything, but I have heard it with many amps, and the Gryphon Antileon did make a remarkable change in how it presented itself...again, even at low volumes.
It suddenly seems to have greater composure during complex passages. my two cents...
Thanks Lloyd,
I remember you and, I think, others saying Strads benefit from a little juice.
Hey Joe,
Yes, I have said this a few times...but in your case, I think you most likely have one of the all-time great pairings (your full CJ setup). Certainly, it is a very high bar of performance you will set there when the Strads arrive.
Christian,
Mark at Reno Hi Fi can offer some very competitive pricing with a 2 week return option.
Suggest you contact him on XS pre options.
Yup..bought all my Pass gear through him. I will be talking to him soon about the XS pre.
I hope you audition it. Would love to know your thoughts/preferences vs the XP-30.
Steve Williams Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator | Ron Resnick Site Co-Owner | Administrator | Julian (The Fixer) Website Build | Marketing Managersing |