That will be AWESOME! The sound combo that I love.
Pass XA25
- Thread starter Mike
- Start date
That will be AWESOME! The sound combo that I love.
I'm thinking about purchasing a XA25 to drive my Tannoy Kensington GRs. But I haven't had any ideas of which pre-amp to match the XA25. Would Benchmark LA4 a good choice? dCS Bartok is also in my radar but it is limited to digital stuff only. My brother had a Topping DX7 Pro and he said it could be used as a digital Pre-Amp but not sure about the quality.
Jack
Active member
Joe
I've had my eye on the Supratek Chardonnay lately and as it's based on the 6SN7 tube it should give that tube bloom to the XA-25 you would be looking for.
I've had my eye on the Supratek Chardonnay lately and as it's based on the 6SN7 tube it should give that tube bloom to the XA-25 you would be looking for.
Hi Jack,
I traded in the XA25 for the SIT3. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the SIT3.
The Supratek looks awesome though. Thanks!
I traded in the XA25 for the SIT3. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the SIT3.
The Supratek looks awesome though. Thanks!
Jack
Active member
Joe
I think we both already have our share of preamps as it is but it my be something for aRui to look into as it has adjustable gain making it versatile enough to keep around for years. Don't know why it caught my eye other than I kind of miss that warmer 6SN7 sound I got from the Modwright that the other two tube preamps don't have.
I think we both already have our share of preamps as it is but it my be something for aRui to look into as it has adjustable gain making it versatile enough to keep around for years. Don't know why it caught my eye other than I kind of miss that warmer 6SN7 sound I got from the Modwright that the other two tube preamps don't have.
It seriously looks great. I wish I had seen that a while ago but I think you are right about that for aRui. That 6SN7 based pre and the XA25 will be superb.
Jack
Active member
You're right about that. Mick's preamps are real lookers and very rarely ever turn up on the used market unless someone is moving farther up the line and that tops out at only $7500. The basic Chardonnay would be enough for me. Still deciding though whether or not to swap out some of the separates or just move up to a higher level integrated, Hybrid design preferred, and be done.
Can I ask why did you trade the XA25 for the SIT3?
I also consider the new McIntosh MA352 which would be available to audition next month in my country, not sure about the quality but it is the Hybrid design you talked about.
Paul
Senior Member
Hi,
Yes. My only reason is because I have Avantgarde Duo XD. They are 107db efficient. The SIT3 has lower gain and offers a little sweeter and softer presentation on my speakers. I only need a few watts. My SIT3 needs a resistor across the speaker terminal to bring down the resistance that the amp sees to something that the amp can better manage. The SIT3 is a little more laid back as well giving me a slightly distant perspective on the music. It’s more tube like in its sound as well.
If my speakers were more difficult to drive and less efficient, I’d definitely use an XA25. It’s a superb amplifier.
Joe
Yes. My only reason is because I have Avantgarde Duo XD. They are 107db efficient. The SIT3 has lower gain and offers a little sweeter and softer presentation on my speakers. I only need a few watts. My SIT3 needs a resistor across the speaker terminal to bring down the resistance that the amp sees to something that the amp can better manage. The SIT3 is a little more laid back as well giving me a slightly distant perspective on the music. It’s more tube like in its sound as well.
If my speakers were more difficult to drive and less efficient, I’d definitely use an XA25. It’s a superb amplifier.
Joe
Well, well, well, you made me buy an Accuphase E-650 but I think we both have the best gear now. Ha! 
I have no doubt that the MA352 will be wonderful. My brother has its little brother, the MA252 and he absolutely loves it. It’s also a wonderful little integrated. Having a more powerful MA352 would be great.
With digital sources, I always prefer a preamp in the chain. Usually a tube preamp like I mentioned previously. It helps breathe life into the music, in my opinion.
With digital sources, I always prefer a preamp in the chain. Usually a tube preamp like I mentioned previously. It helps breathe life into the music, in my opinion.
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hifinutt
New member
tried using my bel canto dac as pre amps a few times into my msb s200, it was detailed and a bit clinical . a good pre amp is better in my opinion. something like the xa25 deserves better
funnily enough a xa 25 just came up for sale s/h near me in Uk but i cant afford it at the moment .
Well, well, well, you made me buy an Accuphase E-650 but I think we both have the best gear now. Ha!
I would wait to audition the Ma352 to make the decision. And about Accuphase E-650, I'm not sure if it is a great int. amp. or not. Me and my brother have compared it side by side with the Luxman 590 AX II and Cary 390.2 on Tannoy Kensington GRs and found that the 650's high was harsh and the low was too tight/less impact.
I'm thinking about what pre-amp I should purchase now. That would be a difficult decision because there are so many options out there
Your opinion of the E650 is interesting. Definitely a tighter bottom end. I don’t find the highs harsh but I’ll have to listen more carefully next time.
I would wait to audition the Ma352 to make the decision. And about Accuphase E-650, I'm not sure if it is a great int. amp. or not. Me and my brother have compared it side by side with the Luxman 590 AX II and Cary 390.2 on Tannoy Kensington GRs and found that the 650's high was harsh and the low was too tight/less impact.
I'm thinking about what pre-amp I should purchase now. That would be a difficult decision because there are so many options out there
Paul
Senior Member
Harsh high on E650? Something is not right and as Joe and I know they need few days to settle in even it’s broken in
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
You would easily hear when compare side by side with other amps. The E650 and Tannoy Kensington GRs we auditioned were demoed ones so they would have been fully broken in. The speaker cable was Vandenhul 3T The Cloud and it is said to be the perfect match for Tannoy and Accuphase. However, the sound quality of the E650 was not what we expected. The shop owner has warned us about the E650 before we auditioned but we didn't believe until we heard it with our own ears