New Pass pre-amp

BlueFox
BlueFox Posts: 15,251
edited July 2013 in Electronics
After upgrading the power and interconnect cables in both my two channel and HT, I planned to take it easy for a while and recuperate the spent retirement savings. However, I knew that once I started upgrading my hardware I was going to start first with the pre-amp. Tuesday, I had the opportunity to buy my first piece of "used" gear, which is a 2 week old 'demo' Pass Labs XP-20 for $2K off list. Plus, I got to split the payment over two months with no surcharge. Well, that's all it took to reel me in, so I bought it, and it arrived today.

Time to hook it up, and let it start warming up so I can give it a good listen Friday, and over the weekend.

This has got to be my last purchase this year. Otherwise I need an intervention :biggrin:


Pass_front1.jpg
Pass_back1.jpg
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
Post edited by BlueFox on
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,423
    edited June 2013
    BlueFox wrote: »
    This has got to be my last purchase this year. Otherwise I need an intervention :biggrin:

    famous last words....
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,398
    edited June 2013
    I have been lusting after one of these for some time now, thanks to DK, and now you. For now, I must live vicariously through your reviews.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,222
    edited June 2013
    BlueFox, Congratulations! That is a beauty. I cannot wait to hear your review on how it sounds.
    I am sure it is amazing!
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited June 2013
    Dont make it your last big purchase because I have some wireworld platinum RCA's FS :cheesygrin:
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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 767
    edited June 2013
    Wow! That is beautiful! I hope it brings you many hours of aural bliss, but that is a lot to pay for a little "aural"!
    Sources: Technics SL1200MKII | SME3009 Tonearm | Monster Alpha 1 MC cartridge | Oppo UDP203 disk player | Nikko NT-790 analog tuner | Musical Fidelity Trivista 21 DAC | Preamp: Threshold SL-10 | Amplifier: Threshold Stasis 2 | Speakers: Snell Acoustics C/V | Kimber 12-TC bi wire speakers | Analysis plus Oval 1 preamp to amp | Wireworld Eclipse 7 DAC to Preamp | Wireworld eclipse digital IC Oppo to DAC | Audioquest Quartz tuner to preamp |
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited June 2013
    You have been kicking it up SEVERAL notches lately, I'm jealous!
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited June 2013
    steveinaz wrote: »
    You have been kicking it up SEVERAL notches lately, I'm jealous!

    I agree, there has been alot of high quality products being snapped up by this gent lately
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited June 2013
    Nice buy BF! Haven't heard a Pass pre before, only a couple of his amps. Let us know what you think after listening. Congratulations!
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited June 2013
    Thanks guys. I am putting together my retirement, and final, system. Once I retire I will be eating cat food, so I need to get everything now.

    I have it up and running now, and the parts I use (inputs 1/2) work, so now it is time to let El Passo become friends with the other gear, and gorge on clean power. As it becomes acclimated, it should really start improving. Heck, it sounds pretty good out of the box, even with all the neighborhood background noise. Next week is a 4 day weekend, so that is when I will really start evaluating it late at night. The dealer gave me 30 days to make a decision, which was nice.

    PFB, I can't buy your Wire World cables. I just added balanced Shunyata Ztron Anacondas to the two channel about 3 weeks ago. Sorry. :smile:
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited June 2013
    I would like to hear a pair of those Shunyata Ztron Anacondas and they are super expensive :eek: just looked up the price on music direct. Its a world class system you have there and I bet your grinning ear to ear when the tunes are blasting
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited June 2013
    Congrats on the fantastic looking piece of equipment!
    Jake
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,518
    edited June 2013
    Congrats! Always nice to see someone diving down the rabbit hole head first. :cool:
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited June 2013
    I just realized this is the first piece of gear I have owned that has a fuse which can be changed without opening the gear. Now I can finally try an audiophile fuse.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    edited June 2013
    Congrats! That dealer's MO seems familiar. I recall being seduced in a similar fashion.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited June 2013
    Great looking pre - congrats! Looking forward to your review. Re: after market fuse, I suggest you thoroughly burn it in before trying one so you can discern the difference in SQ. When I swapped one into my linestage, I was shocked (:cheesygrin:) at the improvement that something so seemingly insignificant makes.
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited June 2013
    DarqueKnight wrote: »
    Congrats! That dealer's MO seems familiar. I recall being seduced in a similar fashion.

    Hmmmmmm. That wiley wabbit.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,054
    edited June 2013
    The Pass stuff being talked about on this forum seems quite high-end and looks awesome. Just to give myself a point of reference, if the Pass Labs gear would be considered an A+ on a grading scale of SS gear, would grade would Parasound Halo gear be considered in comparison? Just curious...
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,726
    edited June 2013
    I would say the Halo gear is comparable, but obviously I'm biased
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited June 2013
    Very nice addition to your system. I'm sure that itch won't need to be scratched for some time soon. Congrats & enjoy. Nelson's gear is always top notch.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited June 2013
    BlueFox wrote: »
    This has got to be my last purchase this year. Otherwise I need an intervention :biggrin:

    Don't count on anybody here for help with this kind of intervention. We would show up at your house with beer, cd's and lots of equipment to demo with your new preamp at the helm :mrgreen:
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited June 2013
    Ern Dog wrote: »
    Don't count on anybody here for help with this kind of intervention. We would show up at your house with beer, cd's and lots of equipment to demo with your new preamp at the helm :mrgreen:

    Actually, I blame this place. :smile:


    If it hadn't been for this place I probably would never have tried better cables. That is what really set me off on trying to get every nuance of music out of a recording.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited June 2013
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    The Pass stuff being talked about on this forum seems quite high-end and looks awesome. Just to give myself a point of reference, if the Pass Labs gear would be considered an A+ on a grading scale of SS gear, would grade would Parasound Halo gear be considered in comparison? Just curious...

    It's a notch or two above Halo. Not that it's not great gear. The Pass stuff is special
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited June 2013
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    I would say the Halo gear is comparable, but obviously I'm biased
    heiney9 wrote: »
    It's a notch or two above Halo. Not that it's not great gear. The Pass stuff is special



    Obviously, you're biased too though, right Brock?:wink:*

    *Disclaimer: Pass Labs stuff is very fine gear. Parasound is good as well, but Pass, IMO and unbiased is the Pass gear is better.
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited June 2013
    Sorry, but it's not bias. Halo gear is excellent, never said it wasn't. The Pass gear is a cut above. Ask DK about this Pass amps vs. his beloved JC1's. Took his system to the next level. Different strokes for different folks. Would I be happy with either one? Absolutely. If I had my choice, it would be the Pass gear w/o even thinking about it.

    Not trying the start an argument or take this thread off track. So that is the last you will hear from me about it :smile: Someone asked so I commented.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited June 2013
    The Halo JC pre-amp was on my list. I spent probably over a year casually researching pres, along with 5 figure tube pre-amps. The Pass replaced my Cambridge-Audio 840E, and at first I was waiting for Cambridge to come out with their next generation. However, while they were telling me the beginning of 2013, and after that passed, in a few months, I got tired of waiting. It seemed they were either having technical issues, or decided to abandon that market. Which is to bad, because the 840E is a fine piece of gear for what it cost ($1500 new).

    Anyway, there was no way I could rationalize a 5 figure pre-amp, and decided $5K was my range. I was down to the Halo, the Ayre K5xeMP, the Classe CP-800, the Bryston BP-26, which is a two unit piece, and the Pass XP-10. I did a lot of online research on this, and there wasn't anything negative about none of them. Since this most likely will be the last pre-amp I purchase, I wanted it to be good. I contacted Pass to find a local dealer, and they said there are none in Nor Cal, so I should check with a dealer in Nevada. They must have BCCed him, since I soon received an email from him. I explained I was just in the info gathering stage at this point, and I am looking for a pre with two balanced inputs, and balanced outputs to step up a notch in my system. While the XP-10 was my target, I asked what the XP-20 was going for. When he said he could give me a demo unit for $2100 off, full warranty, no sales tax, and two payments I said let's do it. It is a bit more than what I wanted to pay, but what I have found indicates the two chassis XP-20 is really better than the XP-10, and by extension, better than the other gear.

    Anyway, so far I am loving it as it burns in. At first, it didn't seem any better than my Cambridge pre, but after about 5 hours it started to settle in, and I was starting to hear detail and bass that wasn't apparent before. Whether the Pass is better than the other gear I don't know, but it is working for me, and that is the bottom line.

    One final point is that the Pass was able to move into an environment where the foundation is in place. Between the new rack, the power upgrade, and the power and interconnect cable upgrades of the last year, there is no reason for it not to perform at its maximum right from the start.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited June 2013
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Sorry, but it's not bias. Halo gear is excellent, never said it wasn't. The Pass gear is a cut above. Ask DK about this Pass amps vs. his beloved JC1's. Took his system to the next level. Different strokes for different folks. Would I be happy with either one? Absolutely. If I had my choice, it would be the Pass gear w/o even thinking about it.

    Not trying the start an argument or take this thread off track. So that is the last you will hear from me about it :smile: Someone asked so I commented.

    H9

    No big whoop Brock. I was kidding (a little).:razz: Like I said, from the Pass Labs gear and the Parasound gear I've heard, I would also take Pass gear instantly.
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    edited July 2013
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    Just to give myself a point of reference, if the Pass Labs gear would be considered an A+ on a grading scale of SS gear, would grade would Parasound Halo gear be considered in comparison? Just curious...

    It's a different class altogether. It took a while, years, for my listening skills to evolve to the point where I could appreciate a much higher level of gear.
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Ask DK about this Pass amps vs. his beloved JC1's. Took his system to the next level.

    Yes, and that is why I am up past 4am listening to music.

    BlueFox wrote: »
    Anyway, there was no way I could rationalize a 5 figure pre-amp, and decided $5K was my range.

    Why be rational?

    BlueFox wrote: »
    Since this most likely will be the last pre-amp I purchase,....


    Sure. Whatever you say.

    I thought the Pass X-1 would be my last preamp. Then I went to the Pass X0.2....and you see where I ended up. Better gear can make your ears greedy.

    BlueFox wrote: »
    Anyway, so far I am loving it as it burns in.

    Don't turn it off (unplug it)...ever. I'm interested in reading your impressions after a month of burn in.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited July 2013
    DarqueKnight wrote: »
    Don't turn it off (unplug it)...ever. I'm interested in reading your impressions after a month of burn in.

    Easier said than done. After I get used to it in a few months, I want to upgrade the fuse. I have never done a fuse upgrade, and want to hear what happens. Now that I have a piece of gear with no power switch, and the manufacturer says it sounds better after being on a week or so, I probably will be hit by power outages every week. :smile:
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited July 2013
    DarqueKnight wrote: »
    I'm interested in reading your impressions after a month of burn in.

    This isn't a review, but after a week it is coming along nicely. At low levels it complements the Shunyata Anaconda ICs I added a few weeks ago. Everything is much more detailed, and precise, within the soundstage, and the soundstage appears a bit wider. This is mostly with classical music at low (70-80db) levels. Female jazz CDs show better bass, and greater clarity in their voices. I have heard a few times where it seems as if their singing occasionally goes off key, and I do not remember noticing that before.

    Anyway, the biggest change so far appeared last night, and left me sitting with my mouth open, and laughing with pleasure, since it was an absolute surprise. Since today is the 4th I was able to stay up last night, listen to tunes, and drink beer. After about 4 beers I get into a R&R mode, so I starting playing some. When I cranked up the volume the soundstage literally expanded out to me. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was huge, and filled in the whole triangle of speakers and chair. Instruments where at various levels, depths, and locations within it. I had never experienced anything like that before. This was way beyond a modest improvement. It is huge, and makes me glad I made this purchase.

    Now I need to get some work bonuses, and a lotto winning, so I can get a pair of X600.5 amps. Does it ever stop? :rolleyes:
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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