I’m completely satisfied with an AtmaSphere MP-1 into Pass XA-160.8 monoblocks. It’s a super clean direct coupled differential balanced tube sound. Give Ralph a call.
Pass labs XA-160.8 monos - or - Mark Levinson 536 monos for Magico's
If you had to chose today / now one of these sets of mono-blocks for same money what would you choose?
Pass labs XA-160.8 monos
- or -
Mark Levinson 536 monos
_________________
Associated gear
Source
Bricasti M1SE w/M12 built in ethernet media player
SGC sonicTranporter Roon Server w/Uptone JS-2 LPS
TLS OCXO ethernet Switch & 912 OCXO LPS
TLS Reference CAT7 ethernet cable loom
TLS Reference DC cable loom
Preamp
(Either Mark Levinson 523 or Pass Labs XP-30) based on monos chosen
Speakers
Magico S5 MK II
Cables
Kubala-Sosna Emotion/Elation Full Loom
___________________________________
https://www.passlabs.com/amplifier/xa160.8
https://www.marklevinson.com/productdetail/~/product/no536.html
Pass labs XA-160.8 monos
- or -
Mark Levinson 536 monos
_________________
Associated gear
Source
Bricasti M1SE w/M12 built in ethernet media player
SGC sonicTranporter Roon Server w/Uptone JS-2 LPS
TLS OCXO ethernet Switch & 912 OCXO LPS
TLS Reference CAT7 ethernet cable loom
TLS Reference DC cable loom
Preamp
(Either Mark Levinson 523 or Pass Labs XP-30) based on monos chosen
Speakers
Magico S5 MK II
Cables
Kubala-Sosna Emotion/Elation Full Loom
___________________________________
https://www.passlabs.com/amplifier/xa160.8
https://www.marklevinson.com/productdetail/~/product/no536.html
- ...
- 19 posts total
AtmaSphere is cool and not something even on my radar. Thanks VAC - one of these just showed up on here. How are these? There are no reviews or anything but VAC is known as great stuff. Anyone hear of this preamp? VAC PHI 2.0 Preamp https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9c3gf-vac-phi-2-0-preamp-tube |
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fsmithjack I own a VAC Signature MkIIse preamp with line and phono stage. I don't think it can get too much better from a sonic perspective....BUT (and a real big BUT), at this price level, we are deep into diminishing incremental returns territory. DIFFERENT sonic characteristics may be audible in comparison to other premium brands, but whether these differences are BETTER is purely a matter of subjective taste for varying sonic flavors. |
- 19 posts total