Preamplifier for X260.8 Monoblocks

Production is finally ramping back up at Pass so hopefully your wait won't be much longer
 
rbbert said:
Production is finally ramping back up at Pass so hopefully your wait won't be much longer
Click to expand...

I certainly hope so. I waited four months for the X260.8’s. The XP22 was allegedly going to be 3-4 weeks in mid-June, it’s now been over three months. Maybe it’s on a slow boat to Oz! 🤣🤣
 
I am pleased to advise that my XP22 preamp has arrived in Melbourne and will be sent to Adelaide in the next couple of days. One other major change that has happened in the last couple of weeks is that I have sold off my Auralic Vega G2.1 and Leo GX.1 DAC front end and replaced with a Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC. I will now have Auralic G2.1 -> Tambaqui -> XP22 -> X260.8 -> Magnepan MG 3.7i, as well as LP12 -> ME25 phono pre -> XP22. Looking forward to setting it all up.
 
As I foreshadowed, my XP22 arrived a week ago and I was able to unpack and install it last weekend. I have provided a couple of happy snaps for that process. Have had a short time so far to evaluate it, but I have to say that I am very impressed, adds a real solidity to music, great detail, imaging and realism. At times I am sensing a slight emphasis in upper mids/high frequency, not sure if that will change with a bit more usage, but it’s very enjoyable so far. No regrets about this upgrade. I am also assimilating a Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC almost at the same time, so the system has never sounded better.

085D1DD9-4BF2-43C1-B8A3-69AA373ED0C6.jpegEC182D56-CC34-4618-8E08-C526A3D5D7F3.jpeg75951DE5-9304-4CE6-8746-51E6C218A232.jpeg
 
Beautiful! Congratulations! Enjoy, break in takes a while but worth it.
 
What kinds of improvements have you noticed since moving from the Auralic Vega to the Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC? I've been mulling over a similar move (Auralic Aries streamer, Bryston BDA 3 DAC currently).
 
Couple of things:

It's not as if its 50% better, changes like this are always more subtle than that at this level of equipment and take a bit of time to discern. The Vega G2.1 is no slouch I must say, but there is noticeable improvement with the Tambaqui.

There is more detail in the decay of notes and other audio cues in low level detail. Imaging is more solid and defined. You feel as if you are far more "in the room" with the performers.

Timbre of instruments, particularly piano seems more real.

Very easy to listen to, no lumps or bumps. Engaging is a good way to describe it.

I do find I get better results using the Aries G2.1 for input using LDS rather than the Tambaqui as a stand alone Roon endpoint. Very satisfying.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top