Does anyone here run the XP-30 with XA-100.5?

[hkval]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Howard.......Good news. Your fabulous sound system deserves a top shelf preamplifier. You have assembled a real world class system.

Thanks Dan. I am very excited about this.
Valerie really encouraged me to do this but asked, "After we do this, can we just sit back and listen to the music?"
She is easy to say "YES" to.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by hkval

Thanks Dan. I am very excited about this.
Valerie really encouraged me to do this but asked, "After we do this, can we just sit back and listen to the music?"
She is easy to say "YES" to.

Howard.......I understand that sentiment completely. I had a three year frenzy where gear was coming and going like crazy. I have settled down because I finally have the sound I have been searching for. My time is now spent enjoying music without that nagging thought that if I changed something I could somehow make it better. It feels good to step off the merry-go-round and just enjoy what I have built.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Howard.......Good news. Your fabulous sound system deserves a top shelf preamplifier. You have assembled a real world class system.

Dan I have heard many good things about the XP-30 and it must be something if it improves upon HK's XP-20.

[hkval]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Dan I have heard many good things about the XP-30 and it must be something if it improves upon HK's XP-20.

Jim - From what I have read in the Absolute Sound and Stereophile, plus on the internet, it sounds perfect for the "Final Touch". I just made an inquiry call but the timing was perfect and the deal was irresistible.
Besides, I just want to get you and Linda back for another listen.

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by hkval

Jim - From what I have read in the Absolute Sound and Stereophile, plus on the internet, it sounds perfect for the "Final Touch". I just made an inquiry call but the timing was perfect and the deal was irresistible.
Besides, I just want to get you and Linda back for another listen.

Hi Howard,

Congrats to you on your XP-30! You have put together a terrific system. We'll have to compare notes as both our preamps break in. Enjoy!

All the best,
Ken

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by cma29

What a great system you've put together, Ken. First class all the way. I think you can change your profile from "aspiring audiophile" to "full-fledged audiophile."

Thanks Carlos, you're a prince. You have put together a terrific system too. Now that you are getting the cables, maybe you will also add an XP-30 as the final piece. Although I have to say running straight to the XA-100.5 from the Esoteric player sounds really darn good!

All the best,
Ken

[FlexibleAudio]

Originally Posted by Frank750

Sure Ken. You absolutely can't go wrong putting the XP 30 together with the XA100.5. I owned the ARC Ref Anniversary when I took the XP30 home to try. I was parting with ARC REF610s at the time and brought home the XA100.5 to sample along with the XP30. I actually sold the Ref Anniversary so I could pair up the XP30 with the XA100.5.

The XP30 controls bass as well as any preamp I've owned. Better in fact than the Ref Anniversary. The XP30 also has great bass definition and I think helps in the bass area with the XA100.5 as I don't think bass is the XA100s strongest suit. Certainly not bad though, don't misunderstand. The XP30 and XA100.5 together produce an extremely smooth, liquid and transparent sound that you can listen to for hours on end. There is no hardness or edginess that makes you want to stop listening. Soundstage is very good both in terms of height, width and depth. Image placement and definition are very good as well although not quite to the degree of excellence provided by the Ref Anniversary. No real slight there considering the difference in cost.

I've been through a few big Krells, Jeff Rowland Model 9s and a lot of ARC tubes. I really like Pass amps and I like the XP30, especially at its price. Between the XP20 and 30 I would pay the extra money all day long to take the XP30.

Congrats on the purchase of the XP-30 Ken and Howard! The XP-30 is supposed to be truly awesome. Not only did JA love it but it tested exceptionally well. I have this on the top of the list to match with my XA200.5's once I choose speakers.

This is a superbly well-measuring, bombproof preamplifier.—John Atkinson

Frank your comment above about the XP-30's make me think it may help my XA200.5's (as compared to an ARC or Conrad Johnson pre) if I go with the Magico Q5 given their low-end voicing. Agree??

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by FlexibleAudio

Congrats on the purchase of the XP-30 Ken and Howard! The XP-30 is supposed to be truly awesome. Not only did JA love it but it tested exceptionally well. I have this on the top of the list to match with my XA200.5's once I choose speakers.

This is a superbly well-measuring, bombproof preamplifier.—John Atkinson

Frank your comment above about the XP-30's make me think it may help my XA200.5's (as compared to an ARC or Conrad Johnson pre) if I go with the Magico Q5 given their low-end voicing. Agree??

Thanks Paul! I'll give a review once the XP-30 is fully broken in. I like the fact that the XP-30 tested very well on JA's bench and one of the major reasons I purchased it was its bombproof design. Frank made some great points about the synergy that would derived by adding the XP-30 to my XA-100.5. I would imagine the same would be true with the XA-200.5, which is very similar in sonic character to the XA-100.5 but considerably more powerful.

All the best,
Ken

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by hkval

Jim - From what I have read in the Absolute Sound and Stereophile, plus on the internet, it sounds perfect for the "Final Touch". I just made an inquiry call but the timing was perfect and the deal was irresistible.
Besides, I just want to get you and Linda back for another listen.

HK
Oh man your twisting my arm.