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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
marktheshark's avatar
marktheshark OP
55 posts
 
Thanks Twoleftears, as I said, my system sounds very good. I was just wondering, in my system, if upgrading to a higher watt amp could make a noticeable difference. Or at that cost, would I look at line conditioning as a similar upgrade instead? 

Regarding speaker cables, I assume that speaker cables have a lesser effect on sound quality than interconnects. And because I have to run my speaker cables down into the basement and then up on the other side of the room (20' - 25') I have not invested in high end speaker cables. If I put my amp near the speakers then I would need 20'-25' interconnects, which does not seem a better solution. 
marktheshark's avatar
marktheshark OP
55 posts
 
Russ, I agree and that was my initial thought process. Does it make sense to go with more watts, having a system that sounds good now. Could I really take it to the next level with a bigger amp? Based on comments here, and my own thoughts, probably not cost effective. Like you said, the change would have to be big and it's not worth the $ at this point. I'll look at protecting my gear with isolation and conditioning. 
   PS, I sold my Parasound A21 to a friend and he's running it with a pair of Spatial Labs M3s. It sounds great, great amp. 
tablejockey
4,038 posts
 
How about better speaker placement/room enhancement?

You're realistically only using single digit wattage, nowhere near the amp specs.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,323 posts
 
I think this article will be helpful.  Certainly relevant to your discussion title.  
https://www.primaluna-usa.com/less-power-more-bass

If you in fact need to do anything at all, consider power quality over more wattage.

Tablejockey's comment is on the money.  I just did the experiment outlined in the article with a 35 watt amp driving 86 db sensitivity speakers.  Only takes 4 watts to arrive at a 92 db level. As it turns out, for me, 92 db constant white noise at 1 meter is WAAAY louder than how I listen even given my listening position is 3-4 meters (not 1) from the speakers.  
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
Mark, you don't need more watts, unless you notice a lack of low-end at your typical listening level. That's a sweet amp that produces high current which is what you really want in your system.

The only addition I would recommend is power conditioning/surge protection. You'll get lots of recommendations here, so you should state your budget. Only sources should go into a conditioner, since most are current-limiting. That means a high-current amp like yours can lose dynamics due to the filtering used to lower RFI/EMI and noise from the mains. The result of power conditioning is a lower noise-floor which will reveal more detail, better imaging, and air around instruments.
Anyway, a Pass Labs amp does not need a PC, it is designed to reject common noise.


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