XP-10 vs. XP-20

CDLehner

CDLehner

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So...I really want an XP, to go with my new 30.8. Obviously, one could expect the XP-20 to be "better"; but that comes at a cost.

Anyone want to tell me, how I can expect it to be better?

I'm also thinking, an XP-20 might be "over-kill"...for the 30.8 (though not for a pair of 60s, if/when I get there)?
 
CDLehner said:
So...I really want an XP, to go with my new 30.8. Obviously, one could expect the XP-20 to be "better"; but that comes at a cost.

Anyone want to tell me, how I can expect it to be better?

I'm also thinking, an XP-20 might be "over-kill"...for the 30.8 (though not for a pair of 60s, if/when I get there)?
Click to expand...

I went through this two years ago:).
When I auditioned the XP-10 i thought it was lacking weight and not as smooth on top as I would have liked (this was after auditioning a number of different amp and preamp combos). Against my wallet's recommendation, I got an XP-20 shipped out to audition. The XP-20 was much better than the 10. The soundstage was wider and deeper, the weight and gravitas returned to the music and the top end was cleaner and smoother. Although the cost was higher, I felt it was worth the extra expense.
Whatever you do, don't audition an XP-30 :lol:
 
Davkj said:
I went through this two years ago:).
When I auditioned the XP-10 i thought it was lacking weight and not as smooth on top as I would have liked (this was after auditioning a number of different amp and preamp combos). Against my wallet's recommendation, I got an XP-20 shipped out to audition. The XP-20 was much better than the 10. The soundstage was wider and deeper, the weight and gravitas returned to the music and the top end was cleaner and smoother. Although the cost was higher, I felt it was worth the extra expense.
Whatever you do, don't audition an XP-30 :lol:
Click to expand...

Well...I'm not going anywhere near the 30; a 3-box pre-amp...C'mon Man!

Let's say, I can't swing the 20 right now; what did you audition...that bested the 10 (at the price...if you recall)?

You and I share some taste in kit; I have 6Ts, SBTs, a CAPS :)

After I choose a pre-amp...DAC comes next. I see you have a Vega; it's on my short list...as is the Invicta Mirus. I've heard the Vega is a touch bright; I was concerned, with the ARC DS-450 and PMC FACT 3s. 30.8 and 6Ts...I think my system can handle a little sparkle.

Ever audition the Resonessence Labs DAC?
 
And whatever you do, don't audition this:

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1417830395.375805.jpg

In all seriousness, I heard the XP20 is the sweet spot in the XP pre's.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mike said:
In all seriousness, I heard the XP20 is the sweet spot in the XP pre's.
Click to expand...

Yes it is, and when paired with X600.5 amps, it is heaven. However, the volume stops at 83, so don't try to find out how loud your system can play by slowly working your way to 100. :)
 
CDLehner said:
Well...I'm not going anywhere near the 30; a 3-box pre-amp...C'mon Man!

Let's say, I can't swing the 20 right now; what did you audition...that bested the 10 (at the price...if you recall)?

You and I share some taste in kit; I have 6Ts, SBTs, a CAPS :)

After I choose a pre-amp...DAC comes next. I see you have a Vega; it's on my short list...as is the Invicta Mirus. I've heard the Vega is a touch bright; I was concerned, with the ARC DS-450 and PMC FACT 3s. 30.8 and 6Ts...I think my system can handle a little sparkle.

Ever audition the Resonessence Labs DAC?
Click to expand...


Unfortunately, most of the pre-amps were tested with other amps, before I had decided on the X250.5. I can't say what (if anything) was better in the XP-10's price range. All I auditioned on the X250.5 were the XP-10, XP-20, W4S STP-SE and my ancient B&K Pro10 MC Sonata. I will say that in many ways I preferred the STP-SE to the XP-10. The W4S offers a lot of tonal color but ultimately lacked the transparency of the Pass pre-amps.

As for the Vega, I had heard the same thing, that it was bright. It is nowhere near bright. I think a lot of folks assume that because it is a Sabre based DAC, it is bright; but I did not find it that way at all (this from a Benchmark DAC1 owner!). I did not try the Mirus, even thought it was on my shortlist. I had been through a Meitner MA-1 and a Marantz NA11-S1 and decided the Vega was my stopping point. There are plenty of reviews out there on the Vega, so it is a pretty known quantity. The Vega moved my system to a higher plane, and did it without being insanely (for high-end audio) expensive.
 
Davkj said:
As for the Vega, I had heard the same thing, that it was bright. It is nowhere near bright.
Click to expand...

I also have the Auralic Vega DAC. The path to it was a Benchmark DAC1 Pre, Bryston BDA1, Bryston BDA2, Vega. The Benchmark was the brightest, and the Auralic is the best of the group. That said, it is very sensitive to the digital cable used. Between a Bryston AES, Shunyata Python, and (latest) Shunyata Anaconda digital, the Anaconda has the most detail and lowest noise level. I suspect the Vega clock in 'Exact' mode syncs well with the Anaconda.
 
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