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

@carl292 "Luxman MQ 88uc"

I use this beauty in my “winter" setup! 

Sound of this amp, after adj. bias at higher side, is very “liquid” and “warm”! I use 88uc 4 Ohms output posts to drive 8 Ohms speakers, which reduces noise floor (mq88uc' is one of the lowest noise in the tube amps crowd) and increases damping factor. I rarely crank it up to higher than 10W output power, so, lower power of this tube wonder than SS is not an issue! Another advantage of this Luxman creation (this concept started in 60s) is a very gentle tube loading, which prolongs tubes life time (saves maintenance cost). Luxman runs these amps for 50hrs before final adjustment, thus no break-in is needed!

You have some interesting choices listed. 

From where you are, warm sounding but plenty of bass I'd think you'd want something maybe a little livelier while keeping the robust nature.

Pass is to me a very personal choice.  Fanboys claim it's the end all to everyone, but to me it's a hazy IPA or a sour beer.  You really need to listen to it yourself and you'll love it or not.  Definitely not an amp I'd buy based on other's recommendations, even mine.  :D

I've heard Luxman SS with Harbeths and they work really well together, I'm also a fan of the little Rogue tube integrateds.  Not sure how the Luxman tube would work, kind of be tempted to keep it in rotation.  That is, if you can afford to, keep your PS Audio and add the Luxman tube.

Another interesting sounding amp for you would be Ayre.