2. amps-preamps
  3. 168468-111061

More watts or better power ?

Hello, I am currently running a PS Audio BHK Preamp, which has a tube input stage, to a Pass Labs XA25, Class A (50watts at 4 ohms) power Amp, into a pair of Sonus Faber Minima Amator II bookshelf speakers. My system sounds very good, and at 4ohms, I have 50 watts of power to my speakers, which is on the lower end of their rating.

What would be a better investment (most bang for the buck) into the system? Replace the XA25 with a higher watt amp (PS Audio BHK 250?), or spend the same money on a power conditioner (PS Audio Power Plant II?) Or upgrade the Minima Amator (which are sounding very good) to another set of speakers.

The system is in my bedroom, I have a very small house, hence the smaller Sonus Faber Speakers. I have beenplaying around with an SVS micro sub as well.

Other system parts, Clear Audio Concept/ Concept MC, Pass Labs XP15, Little Green Roon Server, Schitt Yiggi, and a Luxman MQ 88 Tube amp in rotation.

Appreciate your input
Mark O





marktheshark
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,573 posts
 
Well, I’m going to have to say that a 25 watt power amp is holding you back. I have a pair of 25 watt mono block tube amps that sound very nice but they each have huge power supplies and giant capacitors. 25 watts of SS power is not that much. A beefy amp would add some weight and fullness to your system. After that the next step is loudspeakers but you’ll have the power drive anything once you upgrade your power amp.

Sonus says minimum power for your loudspeaker is 35-100 watts. That is typically the 8ohm specification so you are below the recommended spec. 
ghdprentice
7,682 posts
 
Normally I think more power more better. But that is a sweet and outstanding amp. Given your system and location, I would try power conditioning to all but the amp. 
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
Do you even know if you have an inordinate amount of noise on your line? Personally I'd replace the preamp - never have been impressed with the BHK. The Pass amps tend to run dead quiet and have excellent noise rejection.
rocray's avatar
rocray
1,448 posts
 
What are your listening habits? (How loud do you listen?)  Personally, I would go the conditioning route,and also play with cabling a bit.  I also have a small main listening room,and a small to medium secondary room. I don't really care to make my ears bleed at this point in my life,so low power class A amps work perfect for me. 
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