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!