What makes the Bloom around instruments . . .

I also agree with Frogman's description at the global level. Composer's such as Scriabin and Bruckner reveled in the sonic soup.

Now, here comes the controversial part. While resolving low-level detail is part of it (and I've gone off the deep-end to achieve this), the components are a big piece as well. I say controversial because terms such as neutral and colored are like audio philosophy and religion.

In my experience, if one takes a highly conductive, low gauge wire to transmit power or signal, the result can be sterile, a black background, and an artificial leading edge with truncated decay. For some reason, fine-gauge, multi-stranded conductors of silver, gold, and platinum just sounds real. I will admit that this is altering the signal, but the means justify the ends. Same with tubes, because if you can create a real and intoxicating sound with juicy and dimensional detail, then a system will satisfy on an emotional level.

While trying to nullify weakness by combining different components can be a slippery slope with potential dead ends, combining strengths will open new possibilities.

The XA30.5 had a strong bass and good high frequency extension, BUT, the instrument that was so prominent that it was masking everything else was the drums.

I have never heard an effect like this with the XA30.5. I don't doubt what you are hearing, but I'm wondering if there's some kind of unhappy interaction between the amp and outboard crossovers/speakers that's resulting in a skewed frequency response.

On the other hand, when I think of drums overpowering other parts of a recording, I usually associate that with room modes. But presumably you would hear the same room modes with the Spectron amp, so I don't know what to think. I assume you did not change the position of the speakers when you changed amps.

Bryon

Bryon,

No absolutely nothing else changed other than removing the Spectron and puting the Pass in its place.

I don't disagree with you, my result with the XA30.5 seems to be contary to everyone else in the whole world, look how the reviewers rave about it and the awards it's getting. My question really didn't have anything to do with the quality of the XA30.5, only the Bloom that I got from it.

It probably would have been best if I hadn't mentioned the amp. I did it, not thinking, because that's where I had the Bloom and I really liked that part of the sound.

All that I'm searching for is to have that Bloom added to everything that I'm getting right now from the Spectron, if that is possible.

I'm very fortunate to have arrived where I really enjoy sitting down with my system and listening to my music.

I've gotten here with the help and guidance of Roger Cullen (Irish65), Peter Israelson (formerly of Star Sound and the engineer who upgraded my speakers and built my crossovers) and Craig Hampel (an associate of Geoff Poor of BAT and the designer of the Running Springs HZ Crown Jewel power cord and owner of CH Acoustic).

The Bloom would be the cherry on top of my fully decked out hot fudge sundae.

Chuck

My question really didn't have anything to do with the quality of the XA30.5, only the Bloom that I got from it.

It probably would have been best if I hadn't mentioned the amp. I did it, not thinking, because that's where I had the Bloom and I really liked that part of the sound.

I didn't take you to be questioning the quality of the XA30.5, and even if you had been, it's no big deal. Nothing is perfect, and it's just stuff anyway. ;-) My comments were intended to offer the perspective of a person familiar with the XA30.5, not to defend it from any possible criticism.

FWIW, I'm guessing that the bloom you heard with the Pass amp in your system was a consequence of its interaction with other components, rather than being an intrinsic characteristic of the amp. But that may be academic at this point.

Bryon

Byron,

I didn't think that you were. There had been a lot of posts talking about the XA30.5 and I was trying to clarify to everyone that in no way was I referring to the XA30.5 as anything other than having that magical Bloom that I really liked and want to have again.

I think that I unintentionally led some posters off of the question that I was asking about the Bloom by mentioning the XA30.5 by name.

Chuck