2. amps-preamps
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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
geof3
1,129 posts
 
We need to get some facts straight here… the XA25 shoots WAY above its ratings, as is typical of Pass Class A amps. The class a’s run very high biased mostly pure class A to the clipping point. Here are the actual measurements for that amp…

“Pass Labs specifies the XA25's output power as 25Wpc into 8 ohms and 50Wpc into 4 ohms (both equivalent to 14dBW). However, as you can see in figs. 4 and 5, the amplifier exceeded its specified power output at the clipping point, which we define as when the THD+noise equals 1%. At that THD+N percentage the XA25 delivered 80Wpc into 8 ohms (19dBW) and 130Wpc into 4 ohms (18.1dBW). It appears from the shape of the traces in these graphs that Pass specifies the XA25's power as when the THD+N is close to 0.01%”

The amp is not an issue with your speakers. Look into other areas, cables, room, placement etc, as others have mentioned.
sryeager
125 posts
 
A used PS Audio P5 regenerator made a huge difference to my system, but our power is awful.  Usually when I look, incoming AC is about 17% total harmonic distortion, and outgoing is about 1.5%.  The wife and sons noticed a difference.
fatdaddy2
425 posts
 
What a crock of sh*t!  If you follow all this advice, you'd: replace pre-amp, amp, speakers, speaker cable, interconnects, add a power conditioner/regenerator, DAC, ... Would you be any happier?  Would you enjoy your listening sessions any more?  If you do make any changes, make them one at a time, giving yourself sufficient time in between changes to understand the differences you have achieved.  Fun hobby, but sometimes we stress unnecessarily!
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 


marktheshark OP
PS Audio BHK Preamp to a Pass Labs XA25, Class A, Sonus Faber Minima Amator II
What would be a better investment (most bang for the buck)


Sell both of these and get an Integrated 120w Gryphon Diablo 120 it has the Class-A sound of the XA25 but with heap more wattage and grunt (current) also.

https://gryphon-audio.dk/shop/integrated-amplifiers/diablo-120/

https://gryphon-audio.dk/shop/integrated-amplifiers/gryphon-diablo-300-integrated-amplifier/

Cheers George
rmdmoore
172 posts
 
I think your Amp is probably a good match and if you like your speakers don't change them, they are going to define the sound of your system more than anything else. There are 2 places I'd consider an upgrade in your system. I'd definitely add some power treatmenr. I purchased a PS Audio power plant as was absolutely blown away by the difference. I got a power plant premier on the used market for 800 or so. Great investment. And then I see you have a digital and analog front end. Which do you use more? If the answer is analog, I might step up the turntable. It's a great high end entry unit but if you went with the next in their line like a performance DC, tracer arm, and maybe a Hana ML1200 you'd really be stepping it up. 
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