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  1. #451
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....



    So I was just playing this album Saturday afternoon. It's not the best recording of this piece, but it's not bad either. (BTW, I played this piece back when I was in orchestra, 1st chair bass, and loved it).

    Anyway, so I was playing this piece this past Saturday afternoon through my Quad Artera Pre preamp, and was really cranking it by the 4th track.

    Track 4: Maestoso - Allegro

    Bass from the pipe organ rumbling at full tutti, orchestra at full tilt, brass, winds and percussions blasting, and I was happy and the system was sounding pretty darn good! I had a big ol' smile on my chops!

    Well... I just did it again today, literally moments ago, only this time with the Pass XP-20 in the chain. This is the first time I really opened up the taps on the XP-20, all the way up to "68" on the volume!

    Let me tell you, it was a totally different experience! A whole lot more visceral, a lot more tactile, a sense of a much larger venue, more air and space and dimension between the instruments. There's more texture and inner detail throughout. Stage width and depth are greater.

    And this is with the XP-20 being on for roughly 30 hours straight so far. Anther 20 to 30 hours might improve things a little more. Who knows. It was packed up for around 3 to 4 weeks, so it may have some "waking up" to do again.

    Not to sidetrack because this post is about the improvements the Pass XP-20 brings to my system, but I have to say again how impressed I am with this old Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2 amp of mine as well. This is three different times now that I have hear this amp scale up with the upgrades I have made upstream.

    There's a lot better amps out there, I know. But for what it is and what it's capable of doing is pretty darn amazing. This is a good thing. This will allow me to be happy to hold onto this amp for a while longer and save up at my leisure for an amp or amps that will truly take the system up a few more notches.

    More to come, I'm sure. :grin:
    Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2

  2. #452
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Quote Originally Posted by chops View Post
    Picked up a new (to me) piece of kit this morning!... Pass Labs XP-20 with upgraded Revelation Audio Labs 'Passage' CryoSilver Dual Conduit Reference umbilical cord.















    Very nice!
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
    ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

  3. #453
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Here's some updated pics of my system. Within the past month, I have upgraded my Hisense 65" LED TV to a Samsung 75" QN85B Neo QLED TV, upgraded the Cambridge Audio CXN V2 to an Auralic Altair G1, and lastly just last weekend, upgraded the Quad Artera preamp to a Pass Labs XP-20.



    All three are vast improvements over the units they replaced, most importantly the Auralic and Pass. Wow!















    Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2

  4. #454
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Nice, looking good. -2 points for no cats in pictures though.

  5. #455
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Quote Originally Posted by AJ Soundfield View Post
    Nice, looking good. -2 points for no cats in pictures though.
    Thank you sir! Though I couldn't help with the cats. I had just got done vacuuming the house and this room, so they were all where I wasn't. LOL


    But here's a pic from about 30 minutes later after all the noise was gone...

    Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2

  6. #456
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    One of the mains reasons I wanted to get the Pass XP-20... It has an honest "Tape Loop"! I just got the analog side of the system connected to it.







    Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2

  7. #457
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    A spicy pair of custom Odyssey Audio Stratos monoblocks for the Maggies!







    Even Sir Bentley already approves of them!




    And yes, I'm running them through a heavy duty extension cable my father made many many years ago. Stupid ground issues in this room/house (not 60Hz hum, but an annoying buzz). This is just going to put the dedicated 20amp runs to this room to the top of the priority list for this coming fall.

    AJ, this time you can't give me negative points for no kitties in the pics. LOL
    Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2

  8. #458
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    It amazes me how these amps alone make the Maggies and subwoofers sound larger and stronger. These amps also seem to make the integration between the Maggies and subs that much better as well. Should be even better once I get some dedicated 20amp lines in this room.

    Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2

  9. #459
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    I can't believe you gave up a stack of Schiit for Pass and Odyssey
    I am not surprised these amps sound good with Maggies. High Current and somehow created with Bass in mind. I like that the internal wiring was done with Groneburg Cabling in my Stratos+. I bought a set of the GB ICs at the same time as the amp but used them to tame a bright system.
    -----------------
    Brian

    Main System -
    Rotel RCD-1572 / Rega P3 > Luxman 505UX Mark II > Fyne Audio F502SPs > Synergistic Cables

    Secondary - OPPO 93 > VAC CLA 1 MKII Pre > Odyssey Stratos > Dynaudio Audience 82s > Tara Labs Cables


  10. #460
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Quote Originally Posted by Shadowfax View Post
    I can't believe you gave up a stack of Schiit for Pass and Odyssey
    I am not surprised these amps sound good with Maggies. High Current and somehow created with Bass in mind. I like that the internal wiring was done with Groneburg Cabling in my Stratos+. I bought a set of the GB ICs at the same time as the amp but used them to tame a bright system.
    Yeah, I had a lot of Schiit back in the day. LOL Speaking of that, I had my Khartago Kismet when the very first Schiit Bifrost came out, which I also had at the time.

    These amps have certainly "beefed up" the bass and upper bass of the Maggies for sure, which is most likely why they now seem to integrate better with the subs, which I still have crossed over at 37 Hz (the Maggies are playing fullrange). And with that heavy duty damping factor of these amps, the bass the Maggies are putting out now is more detailed and articulate with a healthy bit of punch.

    These Stratos amps also have the Groneburg Quattro Reference/TS Premium cabling throughout, as well as many Symphonic Line caps everywhere, tweaked "SE" boards, and a few more goodies including the really nice WBT Topline RCA's and binding posts out back.



    Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2

  11. #461
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Make-shift amp stands utilizing a couple shelves from my old audio rack and those white quartz slabs I had made some years ago. Just something to get them off the floor. I was going to buy a couple of Pangea amp stands to match the two audio racks I already have, but I think I want to go with something better, so these will work for now.











    And my little music/audio buddy still approves!

    Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2

  12. #462
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2

  13. #463
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Great pic Charles !!
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  14. #464
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Thank you, sir!
    Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2

  15. #465
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Haven't used this old gem in a while. 44 years old and still works and looks like new when my father purchased it back in 1979.







    Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2

  16. #466
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Really nice pic..!!! And that turntable is indestructible...
    McIntosh C302 + C2600 - Lumin A1 - Lenco L75 - Marantz SR6007 - Paradigm S6 - Gaia II - Chord Epic Twin Speaker Cable + Jumpers - Bada LB5500

  17. #467
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Nice arrangement of gear you have there and a plus with the kitties.
    George
    -----------------------

    Aurender ACS10 Music Server > Holo Audio May KTE R2R Ladder DAC > Pass Labs XP-30 Preamp > Pass Labs XA160.5 Class A Mono Blocks > Martin Logan Renaissance ELS 15A Speakers

    Powered By 2X BPT 3.5 Signature Plus Ultra Isolators | Shunyata Research Hydra Triton + Typhon | Shunyata Hydra 2 Power Conditioner

  18. #468
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Quote Originally Posted by Fer1000 View Post
    Really nice pic..!!! And that turntable is indestructible...
    Thank you!

    I believe my father purchased that turntable in Manhattan (his office was on the 51st floor of the Empire State Building). We lived in East Hartford, CT at the time. That table went from there to Jacksonville, FL, then to Lakeland, FL, then to Niagara Falls, NY, back to Lakeland, then to St Petersburg, FL, back to Lakeland again, and now in Winter Haven.

    It has never skipped a beat and the ONLY two repairs done to it was replacing the old auto tonearm return belt about 6 years ago, and about 4 years before that, I replaced/upgraded the stock RCA connectors because one of the channels started an intermittent issue which was in the stock connector.
    Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2

  19. #469
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Quote Originally Posted by Audioseduction View Post
    Nice arrangement of gear you have there and a plus with the kitties.
    Thank you, George!

    I'm very grateful that I have been able to make such significant upgrades to this system in the past year. And of course, the kitties are a necessity for proper music reproduction and relaxation.
    Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2

  20. #470
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    One of these days I'm going to make it all the way from Wesley Chapel to Winter Haven if invited.
    Synology 1019D+ - SGC Sonictransporter I9 w Roon/HQ Player- UltraRendu- PBD Stream IF to Playback Designs MPS5 via fiber optic - ARC 40th Anniversary Pre - ARC 610 T's - Martin Logan CLX's - 4 Martin Logan Depth i Subs - Shunyata Hydra, DIY PCOCC interconnects, speaker cables and power cords with Furutech terminations. Blue Jeans CAT 6's. Acoustically treated room with one permanent chair.

  21. #471
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Hahahaha, pack lunch hell of a trip Dat ..!


    Regards
    * An Audiophile is only as old as his latest Class D incarnation *

  22. #472
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    Re: Chops' Current System Pics ....

    Quote Originally Posted by brad225 View Post
    One of these days I'm going to make it all the way from Wesley Chapel to Winter Haven if invited.
    You're invited! At least my walls won't stab you if you get too close to them. LOL


    Quote Originally Posted by a.wayne View Post
    Hahahaha, pack lunch hell of a trip Dat ..!


    Regards
    It's not that bad. Just over 50 miles, about an hour drive or so. I used to do more than that when I lived in St Pete and worked in Lakeland... 60 miles each way, twice a day.
    Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2

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Chops' Current System Pics ....

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