2. amps-preamps
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What should I upgrade first amp or preamp?

I need your help. I have OPPO BDP-105 connected to PASS Labs XP-10 and XA-30.5 driving 89 dB at 4 Ohm Snell C7. Looking to upgrade my system and planning to spend $ 3000-4000. I live in the apartment building and unfortunately can't listen to music very loud (no more than 58-62 on the XP-10 display).
What would you suggest to do, upgrade preamp to XP-20 first or amp to two XA-60.5 or to XA-100.5 and why. Upgrading an amp is more problematic due to the space constrains.
What will I gain and what should be the difference in sound in each of those cases?
Thank you.
karapuz
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Karapuz,
What are you trying to improve? It is not stated in your original post.Brownsfan suggested the Modwright modification to your Oppo and this is an excellent upgrade in sound(and a very good value).You say you don`t want tubes, okay,what are you seeking in you system that`s currently lacking? Almarg was right in not assuming you naturally have XLR cables,how would he know?
Regards,
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Re the suggestion of the VTSP-3a, by just about all accounts Herron equipment is wonderful, but it is probably not an optimal choice for this application because AFAIK all Herron products are unbalanced RCA only.

Regards,
-- Al
dsper
663 posts
 
Hi,

I do not mean to steal the OP's thread, but why is the Modwright mod so superior to the factory Oppo 105? What does the $2400 uograde give you that you can hear?

I read all the raves about Modwright Oppo's but never in the context of how it sounds different/better to the factory Oppo 105.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,485 posts
 
I have an Ayre C5 and it is excellent, however, I think the amp and pre should be bought together. If your budget doesn't permit that now, I would listen to earphones until the budget works.
jl35
4,058 posts
 
While the XA30.5 probably has all the power you need, my Pass dealer had told me that in the XA series, more so than the X series, the overall sound quality improves more each step up the line.
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