2. amps-preamps
  3. 192380-193281

Will an Amp change improve my system ?

My system is WiiM pro ( a great device for $149 !) and a Cambridge CXC V2 CD transport for digital input going into a Schiit Yggdrasil+ DAC going to a Schiit Freya+ preamp into a PS Audio S300 amp into Harbeth 30.2 XD speakers. I am considering replacing the S300 with one of the following: PASS XA-25, Coda S5.5, Benchmark AHB2, or tube Primaluna EVO 400, used Rogers EHF-100 or 200, used Luxman MQ 88uc. I like my current system and wonder if an amp change would improve it significantly ?

carl292
lanx0003
855 posts
 

Pass XA25 https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650168182-pass-labs-xa25-class-a-amplifier/. I still believe in class A, pure class A. This low wattage machine seems having no issue driving low efficiency 84-86 dB speakers like Quad ESL and Magnepan .7 so may not have issue with your Harbeth either.  Otherwise, consider Accuphase A-48 ( https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650119484-accuphase-a-48-pure-class-a-amp/ ) which I have auditioned before.  Stable high current down to 2 ohm. 

oberoniaomnia
50 posts
 

Don't have a lot of amp experience, just know that my Primaluna EVO300 pre with a PassLabs XA25 and 87dB speakers (PearlAcoustics Sibelius, REL T9) in similar size room works great for me. No problem with power, volume dial is at maybe 10 o'clock, at noon it gets painfully loud.

steve59's avatar
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steve59
1,775 posts
 

I demoed a half a dozen amps that all sounded the same from Nac, B&K, NAD, Sunfire, RGR and a couple others that made no difference. When I stepped up and tried a Krell product I was impressed at how much smoother music was. All those 200 wpc 'budget' amps sounded hard and unforgiving once I turned the volume up while the Krell, with the same power rating was able to play louder without the speakers shouting at me. 

Don't be afraid to listen to products above your budget even if only to hear what you're missing, or not.

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