Sim W-5 vs Pass X250 / X350 with Dyn C-4

Keithr - I have to agree with you on the Sim / Dyn relationship. My system is very warm (Jade Hybrid IC's, NOS tubed preamp, tubes in both of my sources), but it was not enough warmth to tame the Sim's brightness. The Sim did some things well... just not enough for me to keep them.

Agree with Missioncoonery on getting the more current Pass 250.5, rather than the older Pass 350. Would also love to hear the Plinius SA-250 MkIV with C4's, based upon my positive experience with the SA-250's little brother, the SA-102.

I've also heard the Dyn C2's with a Krell amp... I think it was from the FPB series. Sounded very dynamic & transparent with a huge sound stage. Really kinda surprised by how good it sounded, based upon all of the Krell bashing I've read on this board.

In my experience, both Plinius and Krell where better matches than Sim with the Dyn Confidence series... YMMV.

Before you trade out your amp you might want to try differant interconnects. In the past I felt the Canare cable to be on the lean side and restricked the bottom end.
It did great things with the mids to treble but not the bass.

i think a tube preamp/Krell amp would be match in heaven for C4s and i wanted to do exactly that (Cary 05/Krell 400cx) with my C1s.

in the end i didn't want to spend the dough, so i use a BAT integrated, which is remarkably synergistic.

Comparison – Simaudio W-5 versus Pass Labs X350 with Dynaudio C-4:

I switched out my W-5 with a Pass Labs X350 last night - I actually switched back and forth for a while. After a few hours of listening to music (CD and SACD stereo) I can make the following comparisons:

My listening was done at both moderate and higher levels. I do not know how many dB’s I was cranking at the high levels, but it was not insignificant.

The X350 throws a larger soundstage, but the imaging is not as precise as the W-5.

The X350 wins the war on the lower end bass and control. The bottom end was significantly fuller and more defined with the X350.

The W-5 wins the contest for the midrange. The midrange on the W-5 is much warmer and “sweeter”. The midrange on the X350 is very precise and almost analytical – somewhat “dry”.

The top end highs were the closest of all. The X350 might be just slightly “rolled off” as compared to the W-5, but it also seemed more precise.

All-in-all I would call the X-350 provided a fuller and dynamic, but somewhat dryer, presentation over the entire range. The W-5 has the best midrange and vocal presentation.

One good example I can give is in the Diana Krall song “Peel Me a Grape”. The presentation of the vocals with the X350 was more forward. The vocals on the W-5 were more laid back into the soundstage and smoother. However, the presentation of the string bass with the W-5 seemed to be a little “plunk” in the background. With the X350 when the string bass hits at the start of the song I could hear it as well as feel it.

Having been to one of her concerts in a pretty intimate setting I can tell you that the bass does have the impact of the X350 and she presents the vocals more laid back than in your face.

As indicated above, the Pass X350.5 might give me the best of both worlds, and maybe a higher powered Simaudio (W-7 or W-8) might give me the bass impact of the X350 with the sweetness of the Simaudio midrange.

Which will I keep……………probably the X350, but I have to try them out with movies first over the weekend.

i think the .5 series is a monumental improvement over the other. you with get the detail and bass impact that you are seeking.

the older X series is pretty soft, i agree