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I'm fortunate enough to get to hear some absolutely wonderful, world class systems. My visit today to my friend and customer, Howard (The Sandman) was no exception. Howard has always had a good system, but he has always remained determined to bring it to a whole new level.
Enlisting the help of Bart Andeer of Resolution Acoustics, Howard first went to work on his room. He removed a large book shelf, fully treated all corners with Resolution Acoustics patented bass traps, installed rear diffusion and side absorption/diffusors. The Resolution Acoustics treatments are second to none. Not only does the designer hold patents, but the fit and finish makes a lot of other stuff appear "cheap". I first started using their bass traps in my room over a year ago and I can't even imagine my room now without them.
Another major change was when Howard swapped out his Pass XS150's for XS300's. We were both a little hesitant, but Howard insisted this was the right move. Was this just a "more power" play or were the XS300's REALLY and TRULY better amps? I can say, unequivocally, the Pass XS300's are better in every respect. I would venture to say, they are twice as good - and that is no small feat. The music just flows out of the XS300's with such ease. There is NO STRAIN whatsoever and the soundstage goes far beyond the speakers. The XS150's sound small by comparison. If someone is already shopping in the XS150 territory, save a little more and go for the XS300's. The XS150's are $65,000. The XS300's are $85,000. What do you get for your extra $20K? An amp that is easily twice as good.
We first listened for about an hour to the new XS300's and the room with the Resolution Acoustics. We then shut everything down and added the two Denali 2000T's I had brought with me. Each XS300 amp was plugged into it's own Denali 2000T. I would have brought the Denali 6000T, but Howard wanted to first start with the Denali's on the amps.
We sat down to listen again and immediately heard a difference. The "grunge" in the top end was gone and as a result cymbals and other high frequencies were much more natural, smoother and rich sounding and full. There was also less grain with older, more sibilant recordings. A definite improvement.
We then decided to swap out the Bryston BDP for the Aurender N10 I had brought with my Siltech Royal Signature AES/EBU. I had always told Howard I felt his BDP, although a good product, was the weak spot in his system chain. It didn't take long before the wonderful synergy of Aurender N10 + Siltech Royal Signature AES/EBU + Berkeley REF2 was shining. In my own system, I absolutely love this combination and comparing it to my R2R and Turntable, it gets really close to the real thing - analog.
We later swapped my Siltech Royal Signature AES/EBU for Howard's AES/EBU cable and we heard more detail, but also "bite" and increased sibilance.
The combination of the Resolution Acoustics room treatments and the XS300's has elevated Howard's system to a level we hadn't previously thought possible. With the room problems out of the equation, Howard's system is indeed now in rarified air.
Well done!
Enlisting the help of Bart Andeer of Resolution Acoustics, Howard first went to work on his room. He removed a large book shelf, fully treated all corners with Resolution Acoustics patented bass traps, installed rear diffusion and side absorption/diffusors. The Resolution Acoustics treatments are second to none. Not only does the designer hold patents, but the fit and finish makes a lot of other stuff appear "cheap". I first started using their bass traps in my room over a year ago and I can't even imagine my room now without them.
Another major change was when Howard swapped out his Pass XS150's for XS300's. We were both a little hesitant, but Howard insisted this was the right move. Was this just a "more power" play or were the XS300's REALLY and TRULY better amps? I can say, unequivocally, the Pass XS300's are better in every respect. I would venture to say, they are twice as good - and that is no small feat. The music just flows out of the XS300's with such ease. There is NO STRAIN whatsoever and the soundstage goes far beyond the speakers. The XS150's sound small by comparison. If someone is already shopping in the XS150 territory, save a little more and go for the XS300's. The XS150's are $65,000. The XS300's are $85,000. What do you get for your extra $20K? An amp that is easily twice as good.
We first listened for about an hour to the new XS300's and the room with the Resolution Acoustics. We then shut everything down and added the two Denali 2000T's I had brought with me. Each XS300 amp was plugged into it's own Denali 2000T. I would have brought the Denali 6000T, but Howard wanted to first start with the Denali's on the amps.
We sat down to listen again and immediately heard a difference. The "grunge" in the top end was gone and as a result cymbals and other high frequencies were much more natural, smoother and rich sounding and full. There was also less grain with older, more sibilant recordings. A definite improvement.
We then decided to swap out the Bryston BDP for the Aurender N10 I had brought with my Siltech Royal Signature AES/EBU. I had always told Howard I felt his BDP, although a good product, was the weak spot in his system chain. It didn't take long before the wonderful synergy of Aurender N10 + Siltech Royal Signature AES/EBU + Berkeley REF2 was shining. In my own system, I absolutely love this combination and comparing it to my R2R and Turntable, it gets really close to the real thing - analog.
We later swapped my Siltech Royal Signature AES/EBU for Howard's AES/EBU cable and we heard more detail, but also "bite" and increased sibilance.
The combination of the Resolution Acoustics room treatments and the XS300's has elevated Howard's system to a level we hadn't previously thought possible. With the room problems out of the equation, Howard's system is indeed now in rarified air.
Well done!
Sometimes a specific combination of components allows the sum of their performance to far exceed what you would expect from each on their own merits. When you find such a combo it's rare and can provide truly exceptional value. We can all benefit from Mike's (as well as other forum members') personal experience in such matters, just another benefit this forum provides!