From PassLabs to Accustic Arts??
 

Hallo,
I use a combo PassLbas (pre xp20 and X250.5 plus a couple of XA100.5)
well they sound great.

I have lsten the Accustic Arts (Germany Handmade) preampli PreTube reference serie with the AMPIImk2 (2x 260watt) and with the AMPIIImk2 (2x 600watt) this 2 ampli are real dual mono and the AMPIII need 2 power cord the play....

I considere to chang my main system Passlabs with this A.Arts combo (Pretube and AMPIImk2)

I use the B&W802 and i go sell the Raidho c 3.1 with the idea to replay they with a Magico S1 or a ???.
dac is a Bryston Bda1: change with a Meitner Ma1/Ma2 or hte A.Arts Dactube & DriveII. (sur more "synergi" with the pre anr power ampli from the same brand..

Please opinion, idea, listen session rom A.Arts? are agree!
thank you in advance
Style

Before changing, try your XA100.5 with a REF5SE, you will change of mind

With all of those changes at once, how are you going to tell which pieces really impacted the sound ?

Aresearch is not my best brand....but is too true never listen the REF5 with the XA100.....


Is a radical change. I have listen the A.Arts and the AMP2 or the AMP3 is not a class A (well my x250.5 but sound good as well..) but the A.A. with tis 2 ampli is really at the level from the Pass XA.

I have a "inexpensive" Cambrige 851 cd playe/Dac but is really not bad vs. the marantz SA15 had in the past....the Bryston Bda sound better as the 851 but is not the "strong point" of the chaine....a Meitner MA1 is another level.

At first I will change the pre and the ampli: Xp20-xa100.5/x250.5 -> A.Arts preTube-AMP2mk2 or AMP3.

after I can go test the source.
Is not a good "beginning": the source will make, normaly, more differnce vs. a new amplifier....but like write is a radical decision to change brand....

In Europa A. Arts is very very apprecied and is - imho - much better as Mcintosh, Krell, .....

IMHO, going from Pass Labs to Accustic Arts is a sideways move at best. Personally, I think it would be a negative move. If you require more power than the XA100.5's deliver, then a move up the Pass Labs chain might be a better choice. Of course, you are the only one with your set of ears and preferences. Good luck on your choice(s).