Will an Amp change improve my system ?


My system is WiiM pro ( a great device for $149 !) and a Cambridge CXC V2 CD transport for digital input going into a Schiit Yggdrasil+ DAC going to a Schiit Freya+ preamp into a PS Audio S300 amp into Harbeth 30.2 XD speakers. I am considering replacing the S300 with one of the following: PASS XA-25, Coda S5.5, Benchmark AHB2, or tube Primaluna EVO 400, used Rogers EHF-100 or 200, used Luxman MQ 88uc. I like my current system and wonder if an amp change would improve it significantly ?

carl292

your list includes warm tube amps and analytic dry amps, complete opposites, do you know which sound you like?

Changing your power amplifier can improve your system, but as the saying goes, “it all depends.”  I changed from a highly-rated tube amp to Odyssey Kismet solid state monobloc amps that are twice as powerful as the stereo tube amp.  The change was dramatic and instantly noticeable.  It depends, however, on your preferences and the specific characteristics of the power amplifier involved.  My earlier change from a highly-rated solid state amplifier to the tub amplifier did not sound as well, hence the switch back to a solid state power amp with my Rogue Audio tube preamplifier.  
 

Let your ears be the judge, but there is very good counsel be had in this forum.

I’m very pleased with my EVO 400 experience. The tube options also give you some flexibility to taylor the sound. 

I owned 30.2 XDs and enjoyed them a lot with a Raven Audio Osprey, although it was a bit underpowered.

I have also owned the Rogers EHF 200. It was by far the worst purchase in my audio journey - run away…run away very fast.

I can’t speak to your other choices but I’d lean towards SS and more power than you think you need.

FWIW Harbeth shows with Hegel.

My room is 12' X 24' and heavily carpeted. I run the Freya+ in tube mode. I forgot to mention I have a REL T/5X Sub. My cables are Audioquest, Kimber, and Cardas lower end. I had a Marantz model 8B amp  and 7C preamp running Rogers LS3/5A speakers and I loved it. Lots of helpful comments so far and I appreciate all of them. Another idea would be mono blocks like Schiit Tyr. BTW, the book Schiit Happened by Jason and Mike available on Amazon is an excellent read imo.