To Preamplify or not to Preamplify...that is the question.

[bzr]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Hi Carlos,

I found when I added the XP-30 to my system, the positives were added dynamics and control. The XP-30 significantly improved the bass response of my Salon 2, faster, tighter and more robust and did a better job controlling my speakers throughout the frequency range. The negatives were that the XP-30 is so resolving, it sees everything in the chain and sometimes this isn't a good thing. Adding the power conditioner and power cord went a long way to correcting this and really smoothed out the treble. Next stop will be new interconnects and power cords for my K-01 and XP-30.

I will say that I really enjoyed the sound of the K-01 running directly to the XA-100.5 monoblocks. I can't say one bad thing about it. Purity, timbres were very accurate and tremendous intimacy. Esoteric's variable linestage is one of the best out there.

Best,
Ken

Wow, that has been my almost identical findings with my Soulution 520. The best thing for me was top shelf isolation & switching from WW Platinum to Shunyata Anaconda loom, everything is just so much more right for my tastes, but on the whole everyone wants to know where the bass comes from for a panel!

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by bzr

Wow, that has been my almost identical findings with my Soulution 520. The best thing for me was top shelf isolation & switching from WW Platinum to Shunyata Anaconda loom, everything is just so much more right for my tastes, but on the whole everyone wants to know where the bass comes from for a panel!

What type of panels do you have BZR?

Ken

[bzr]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

What type of panels do you have BZR?

Ken

Ken, Magnepan 20.7's

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by bzr

Ken, Magnepan 20.7's

Bzr,

The 20.7 are incredible speakers. I used to own a pair of 3.7 and have done a lengthy audition of the 20.7. In my opinion, the 20.7 are the most value-priced reference level speaker on the market. There's no maximum to what the 20.7 can do. They will sound as great as whatever components are driving them.

Best,
Ken

[bzr]

I concur.I have found them to be a revealing mirror of what is upstream as well.

[cma29]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Bzr,

The 20.7 are incredible speakers. I used to own a pair of 3.7 and have done a lengthy audition of the 20.7. In my opinion, the 20.7 are the most value-priced reference level speaker on the market. There's no maximum to what the 20.7 can do. They will sound as great as whatever components are driving them.

Best,
Ken

Thanks, Ken. Coming from you, I like my 20.7s even more now. Seriously.

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by cma29

Thanks, Ken. Coming from you, I like my 20.7s even more now. Seriously.

You're welcome, Carlos. The 20.7s are one component you'll never need to upgrade. They are that good. How are you liking the sound of the Silver Electra 7 power cord? Is that just on the K-03 or is it on the XA-100.5s too?

I'm also hoping to add some power cords in the coming months. I really like the sound of the Audience Au24se power cord that runs from my wall to the power conditioner. I think these cords would sound great running from the power conditioner to the rest of my components. But they are really expensive, so I'd probably get the half-priced medium power versions for the K-01 and XP-30 and some less expensive Audience or WW high power cords for the XA-100.5s.

Best,
Ken

[cma29]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

You're welcome, Carlos. The 20.7s are one component you'll never need to upgrade. They are that good. How are you liking the sound of the Silver Electra 7 power cord? Is that just on the K-03 or is it on the XA-100.5s too?

I'm also hoping to add some power cords in the coming months. I really like the sound of the Audience Au24se power cord that runs from my wall to the power conditioner. I think these cords would sound great running from the power conditioner to the rest of my components. But they are really expensive, so I'd probably get the half-priced medium power versions for the K-01 and XP-30 and some less expensive Audience or WW high power cords for the XA-100.5s.

Best,
Ken

Hi, Ken. To avoid hijacking thread I'll send you a PM with latest developments.