Any available XA.8 impressions from CES 2014??

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Thanks for the update. Enjoy the new amps.

Based on your descriptions above, the .8s upgrade appears to be a worthwhile step; even as good as the .5s are.

Thanks Mike! I am having a lot of fun listening to the 100.8's this weekend as they break-in. The increased transparency, larger soundstage and more holographic imaging are the big selling points for me so far. And believe me, I am a big 100.5 fan too. They have their own set of unique attributes. It's nice to have choices!

Best,
Ken

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by The Sandman

I think you'll find that once they been on for the 5 days, then go through their first night powered down that the next day there will be additional improvement especially after 3 or 4 hours of play time (not just on time).

Enjoy!

Thanks Howard!

Ken

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

XA-100.8 vs. XA-100.5

Both are tremendous amplifiers but sound somewhat different. Here is a brief summation of my observations after a few days of listening.

XA-100.8:
1. Sounds more clear or transparent to the recording.
2. Wider and deeper soundstage with more holographic imaging.
3. More ease or effortless sound (Can listen at higher volume levels).
4. More bass with greater control that seems to reach deeper.
5. Lower noise floor which enhances dynamics.

XA-100.5:
1. More buttery or tube-like warmth in sound.
2. Smaller more intimate soundstage.
3. More precise but less holographic imaging.
4. More laid back and less noticeable bass presentation.

I am falling in love with the sound of the 100.8's. But I honestly could see some listeners preferring the more intimate presentation and the tube-like buttery warmth of the XA-100.5's. Best to listen for yourself to see your preference. YMMV.

Best,
Ken

Hi All,

I've been working very hard lately and we've had many thunderstorms that caused me to unplug my system but I've still managed to push the XA-100.8's up over the 100 hour mark. The improvements I am noticing with more break-in time are a more tube-like presentation similar to the XA-100.5's but with a more clear and less buttery warmth. I am also noticing more extension on the top end comparatively but in a very smooth way. The bass response is also becoming more cohesive with the midrange and treble and I am enjoying the bass presentation more than before. The clarity of these amps is outstanding. There is no limit to how high I can crank up to the volume due to a virtual lack of any glare. A very impressive product indeed.

Best,
Ken

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Hi All,

I have one additional item to report with my XA-100.8's and it concerns warm-up time. My 100.8's seem to peak much more quickly than my 100.5's. With my 100.5's, it generally took about one hour before they sounded really good and about four hours before they reached their full potential. I'm finding my 100.8's sound really good in the first ten minutes and seem much closer to their full potential after about two hours. There is some additional incremental improvement with the 100.8's up to the four hour mark but I'm finding that I'm getting much closer to full potential much more quickly. Consequently, I'm running the 100.8's a lot less as they just need less lead time to reach full form.

Best,
Ken

[cma29]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Hi All,

I have one additional item to report with my XA-100.8's and it concerns warm-up time. My 100.8's seem to peak much more quickly than my 100.5's. With my 100.5's, it generally took about one hour before they sounded really good and about four hours before they reached their full potential. I'm finding my 100.8's sound really good in the first ten minutes and seem much closer to their full potential after about two hours. There is some additional incremental improvement with the 100.8's up to the four hour mark but I'm finding that I'm getting much closer to full potential much more quickly. Consequently, I'm running the 100.8's a lot less as they just need less lead time to reach full form.

Best,
Ken

Thanks for the update, Ken. The faster warm up may be due to the amp's deep Class-A bias.

The XA100.8s seems like the real deal. Now I need to figure out how to make my own upgrade

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by cma29

Thanks for the update, Ken. The faster warm up may be due to the amp's deep Class-A bias.

The XA100.8s seems like the real deal. Now I need to figure out how to make my own upgrade

Hi Carlos,

You could definitely be right. The first two hours of listening are just far more enjoyable with the 100.8's. For me the 100.5's don't really kick in until after two hours. I am in love with the sound of the 100.8's. I haven't for one minute regretted the cost of the upgrade. And I was totally smitten with the sound of the 100.5's. Had the 100.8's not come along, I never would have even considered changing amps.

Best,
Ken

[cma29]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Hi Carlos,

You could definitely be right. The first two hours of listening are just far more enjoyable with the 100.8's. For me the 100.5's don't really kick in until after two hours. I am in love with the sound of the 100.8's. I haven't for one minute regretted the cost of the upgrade. And I was totally smitten with the sound of the 100.5's. Had the 100.8's not come along, I never would have even considered changing amps.

Best,
Ken

Excellent, Ken.

Now I need to figure out how to make the move myself. Maybe I can start with the X350.8 and then move to the XA100.8s

[raidho]

Originally Posted by cma29

Excellent, Ken.

Now I need to figure out how to make the move myself. Maybe I can start with the X350.8 and then move to the XA100.8s

Hi Carlos,

you will update the Pass with the new point 8?

why before whit the 350.8 and than with the 100.8?

-> purchase the 350.8 and than if you are not satisfait you go sel the 350 and buy the 100.8?


I will to change my 100.5: AR ref250 are too a good amplification. they have a very musical & trnasparent sound vs. 100.8 / 100.5 (class A pass ampli)

please let me know.

greetings O.

[jpspock]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Hi Carlos,

You could definitely be right. The first two hours of listening are just far more enjoyable with the 100.8's. For me the 100.5's don't really kick in until after two hours. I am in love with the sound of the 100.8's. I haven't for one minute regretted the cost of the upgrade. And I was totally smitten with the sound of the 100.5's. Had the 100.8's not come along, I never would have even considered changing amps.

Best,
Ken

Now that you have spent a lot of time with your XA100.8, how could you describe more precisely the différences between both? Can you give some good reasons for changing?

Thanks for your help,

jp

[cma29]

Originally Posted by raidho

Hi Carlos,

you will update the Pass with the new point 8?

why before whit the 350.8 and than with the 100.8?

-> purchase the 350.8 and than if you are not satisfait you go sel the 350 and buy the 100.8?


I will to change my 100.5: AR ref250 are too a good amplification. they have a very musical & trnasparent sound vs. 100.8 / 100.5 (class A pass ampli)

please let me know.

greetings O.

I was thinking of using the 350.8 as a bridge to try the .8 series. My dealer offers 100% trade-in credit within 4 months so then I can use that to move to XA100.8s.