Upgrade from X250.5 to XA100.5. Thoughts?

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Carlos,

There appears to be a nice synergy between the Audio Research preamps and the Pass XA series amps. I think you'll find several other members of this board are running their XA amps with ARC preamps and are very satisfied with the results. It should be a good match.

Ken

[raidho]

welll sinergy from Passlab (X or XA serie) and Aresearch Ref5se is from long time presentin more passlabs system. This is sure.
a Xp20 is anyway a great preampli. try! a Xa100.5 (in this case) -> "as a tube powerampil sound" with another preampil tube can be a little "soft, too mushy"

but is without doubt a good combo.

for me is like a Mcintosh Mc452 with a C2500 =good vs. C2500 and Mc275 uhmmm sound can be "mushy"...
ref5 and Xa passlabs is the same.
Xp20 and Xa passlabs ove the paper is better....but before listen yourself....

[cma29]

Ken & raidho - Thanks for the pointers about coupling an ARC tube preamp with the XA Pass Labs gear. Based on what I'm hearing now from my system, the match between ARC and Pass is excellent, but I'll keep your thoughts in mind as I move forward.

[raidho]

Hi Carlos,

only a question: you have I/C Kimber. what for model? the Ks1136 -> argent /copper/argent or fully copper?


I use a Monocle XL for the speaker (kimber of course) and after many test the wireWorld I/C silver eclipse 7 is very the best I/C had in my system,

Now I have too the "Swisscables" just received (a week ca.) interconnect xlr and a digital xlr between Dac and cd player: this cable is in copper but ound very fine really. -> sure the WW Silver7 make agood job the make a greats sound.

I will replace the Kimber speaker cable with the WW SilverEclipse7 or the Swisscalbes reference serie. I go make some test to decide....


With te Xa100.5 Passlabs you go have a very hot ampli!! no way: in winter can be good but in the sommer you go see....

style

[jpspock]

Dear raidho,

As i wrote it many times , I had the chance to live acouple of weeks with a xp20 and my xa100.5, the result was very good, than I listened with the ref5, not se, and the difference was important. I didn't hesitate and went to the ref5. A few months ago, i upgraded for the se version, and the difference is huhe, so with my experience, and not on paper, there is no hesitation, ref5se and xa100.5 is a fabulous combo.

[raidho]

Hoi jpspock,

I do that the AR ref5se is a very great preampli with the Xa100.5

I have listen a system with Ref5se, Xa100.5, moon 650Dac as player and Lansche 5.1 speaker with "corona tweeter".

the best system never listen (and not with a crazy price!!!)


Anyway the xp20 is a good preampli, not a entry level!

I think you have listen the combo ref5 and Xa100.5 before change the xp20 or? and before the ref5 coming in your set you was happy or not?

too much tube -> not the ref5 and Xa -> read pre tube and powerampil tube for me can be really a too much soft.

met groeten

[cma29]

Originally Posted by raidho

Hi Carlos,

only a question: you have I/C Kimber. what for model? the Ks1136 -> argent /copper/argent or fully copper?


I use a Monocle XL for the speaker (kimber of course) and after many test the wireWorld I/C silver eclipse 7 is very the best I/C had in my system,

Now I have too the "Swisscables" just received (a week ca.) interconnect xlr and a digital xlr between Dac and cd player: this cable is in copper but ound very fine really. -> sure the WW Silver7 make agood job the make a greats sound.

I will replace the Kimber speaker cable with the WW SilverEclipse7 or the Swisscalbes reference serie. I go make some test to decide....


With te Xa100.5 Passlabs you go have a very hot ampli!! no way: in winter can be good but in the sommer you go see....

style

Hi, raidho.

I use Kimber Kable KCAG between the Esoteric CD player and the Audio Research preamp. From the preamp to the amplifier I run 6 meters of Kimber Kable Tonik. Since I needed such a long length and I could not afford premium cable, I went with the Tonik which works well as far as I can hear. Once I'm done with my amplifier upgrade, I'll concentrate on improving cables. I have my eye on Transparent Audio.

[raidho]

Hallo Carlo,


for me you can have much better from Transparent with not the much $$$.


wirewolrd is too not a entry level cable and sound very fine.

I use the I/C Silver Eclipse 7: magic! (between pre and dac and pre to anther cd player direct.)
premapli to powerampli I have just received the Swisscables serie reference: are too very great. I usa too a digital from the dac to one cd player - I have 2 cd player)

tested too all "WireWild pre -powerampli and pre - Dac silver-copper cable. i'm happy.

Style

[cma29]

Today I pulled the trigger and ordered the XA100.5s. I should have them by Thursday.

Dealer said they need to burn-in for 5 days straight before I listen to them critically. I will report on my findings as I make the transition...

The X250.5 I currently own is going to the dealer as a trade-in (got excellent value for it).

[jpspock]

5 days are not needed. Out of the box you will hear the difference. Congrats for your new babys.