Sorry to everyone for not responding sooner; busy entertaining relatives!
Wow. Thanks very much to everyone for the compliments, comments and questions. It has made this project worth my time. Let’s see... in response...
To Don_c55: Yes, the listening room does get about 3 to 4 degrees warmer or so with the .8 running 24/7. On these hot summer days I started turning it off upon bedtime. Upon turning it back on, it sounds fantastic cold and just grows more liquid and real as it warms up. I haven't seen the electric bill yet; too busy enjoying the music and I've got the wife paying the bills (but she doesn't see the PayPal statements or I'd have to set up my system in the dog house). Yes, I could easily live with the .5 for its qualities. Really, the .8 is well worth the extra temperatures right now. Last night, I was startled at a background voice on one track I've never heard; I really thought someone was standing in the doorway, singing softly to me!
BTW, I am kind of sympathetic toward circuits that endure heat (not that there would be any issues with this in Pass amps though), but I run a very quiet fan in back of the amp which keeps it barely warm to the touch. Its a very nice table fan made by Matthews Fan Co. It moves a lot of air but is super quiet and of that heavy, industrial quality, nice for summer.
To Cal3713: You're very welcome.
To Peterayer: Yes,both amps can bring out those organic textures of acoustic instruments to those familiar with their nature. The musicians among us will vouch for that. Its like getting into your own car blindfolded (don't do that); you can identify it immediately. The .8 renders such correct sound it was easier and I felt right at home with those guitars! Noise can add a thicker atmosphere and I suppose more fine nuance. But I heard the artists breathing and lips moving, etc. Is that noise? I'm not experienced enough to say. Is it distortion? It seems hard to believe if it is. I wish I could own the higher XA models but those are for others to enjoy. Thank you for your kind words. Cheers!
To French_fries: Very insightful. Yes, I wish I had done this comparison with better gear; the results would have rendered the two amps as more distinct and probably accentuated the differences I heard. The AudioEngine D2 at 24/96 was transparent enough to give me the detail I needed to write the review, FWIW. The fact that the same results were heard across all five pairs of high end speakers says something and the Harbeth SHL5 seemed the most accurate and brought out the most information, having that supertweater by Seas. Best to you.
To Peterayer: "The only way to know the value is to listen to one in one's own system. RENO Hifi makes that very easy."
Well said and that's what i did. Gear always sounds better in my own room anyway, go figure. Mark knew one amp would be coming back. He predicted it would be the .5 and was right. I was willing to let go of considerably more money for the .8. And for the big boy XA.8 monos, I'd have to let go of my son's college tuition and get some better source gear as well (which I'm intending to do anyway, not the tuition, just the source). Get this: I paid by money order for the XP 10 preamp and Mark credited me the PayPal fee that he didn't have to pay! He's true blue.
Thanks again to everyone and cheers to all. You have encouraged me to keep listening, tweaking, enjoying, reading, listening, enjoying...
Wow. Thanks very much to everyone for the compliments, comments and questions. It has made this project worth my time. Let’s see... in response...
To Don_c55: Yes, the listening room does get about 3 to 4 degrees warmer or so with the .8 running 24/7. On these hot summer days I started turning it off upon bedtime. Upon turning it back on, it sounds fantastic cold and just grows more liquid and real as it warms up. I haven't seen the electric bill yet; too busy enjoying the music and I've got the wife paying the bills (but she doesn't see the PayPal statements or I'd have to set up my system in the dog house). Yes, I could easily live with the .5 for its qualities. Really, the .8 is well worth the extra temperatures right now. Last night, I was startled at a background voice on one track I've never heard; I really thought someone was standing in the doorway, singing softly to me!
BTW, I am kind of sympathetic toward circuits that endure heat (not that there would be any issues with this in Pass amps though), but I run a very quiet fan in back of the amp which keeps it barely warm to the touch. Its a very nice table fan made by Matthews Fan Co. It moves a lot of air but is super quiet and of that heavy, industrial quality, nice for summer.
To Cal3713: You're very welcome.
To Peterayer: Yes,both amps can bring out those organic textures of acoustic instruments to those familiar with their nature. The musicians among us will vouch for that. Its like getting into your own car blindfolded (don't do that); you can identify it immediately. The .8 renders such correct sound it was easier and I felt right at home with those guitars! Noise can add a thicker atmosphere and I suppose more fine nuance. But I heard the artists breathing and lips moving, etc. Is that noise? I'm not experienced enough to say. Is it distortion? It seems hard to believe if it is. I wish I could own the higher XA models but those are for others to enjoy. Thank you for your kind words. Cheers!
To French_fries: Very insightful. Yes, I wish I had done this comparison with better gear; the results would have rendered the two amps as more distinct and probably accentuated the differences I heard. The AudioEngine D2 at 24/96 was transparent enough to give me the detail I needed to write the review, FWIW. The fact that the same results were heard across all five pairs of high end speakers says something and the Harbeth SHL5 seemed the most accurate and brought out the most information, having that supertweater by Seas. Best to you.
To Peterayer: "The only way to know the value is to listen to one in one's own system. RENO Hifi makes that very easy."
Well said and that's what i did. Gear always sounds better in my own room anyway, go figure. Mark knew one amp would be coming back. He predicted it would be the .5 and was right. I was willing to let go of considerably more money for the .8. And for the big boy XA.8 monos, I'd have to let go of my son's college tuition and get some better source gear as well (which I'm intending to do anyway, not the tuition, just the source). Get this: I paid by money order for the XP 10 preamp and Mark credited me the PayPal fee that he didn't have to pay! He's true blue.
Thanks again to everyone and cheers to all. You have encouraged me to keep listening, tweaking, enjoying, reading, listening, enjoying...