evolving system

by soundisntmusic on Opinions Please

Description

future additions / upgrades:

a. accomplished tt + phonostage set up.  currently have a lofi rega p3 and inexpensive phono preamp, transparent ic's to vtl preamp

b. high quality vibration rack (santa, pls take note).

i listen to primarily classical music, mostly chamber music and solo keyboard. i clear 2 -3 hours of uninterrupted listening most evenings 5 days/week.
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Components Toggle details

    • Wilson Audio w/p 8
    will move to the sasha when the v2 comes out, no doubt with a silk tweeter LOL ... or move to another mfr in the future. the wp8 issues of over the somewhat energized top end, slowish bottom, and minor coherence issues - were all improved with the high quality cdp (k-01), better cables (the TA ref +mm2 ). i have also auditioned a full loom of TA ref XL +mm2 which improved the presentation of the speakers considerably.  moving to amps such as the vtl 400 or pass labs recent xa series will probably my next step,  ie before the cable change.
    • Transparent Audio (TA) SC REF+ mm2 tech
    upgraded from the TA ultra mm1 to the REF level+mm2 tech. see my meandering review of the mm2 tech on this site when you have the patience LOL.
    • Pass Labs x350.5 stereo amp
    1st 40 wpc in class A, i rarely move out of class A, perhaps on some peaks if the loudest passages of full orchestral works. has performed flawlessly overall.
    • TA TA ref+mm2 balanced IC
    mm2 is significantly better than the orig mm tech.
    • vtl 6.5 tube hybrid preamp
    superb. using NOS early 1960s bugle boy amperex tubes inside now. see my review of this preamp on this site. simply a rock solid performer of excellence.
    • Purist Audio Design 20th Anniv Contego Power Cord
    power cord on the vtl preamp. excellent top to bttm balance and very quiet. this replaced a transparent XL PC (m1 version)
    • TA Ref + mm2 tech, balanced IC
    btwn cdp and preamp. this upgrade from Ref mm1 to mm2 tech offered noted improvement.
    • Esoteric CDP : K-01
    IMO, the PAD PC contributes greatly to this component & the system's overall presentation, adding some weight overall, especially at the top end without the thinning i noticed in other PCs.
    • Purist Audio (PAD) Power cord Canorus PC w/ oyaide M1F1 termin
    on the cdp: this PAD did everything well from top to bottom and allowed a presentation of more fullness at the upper end without over-energizing or dampening the highs. slighterly tighter presentation at the bottom without loosing texture and fullness, greater transient clarity as well . very quiet background. a noticeable improvement from the excellent PAD PC i now have on my preamp
    • Transparent Audio P8
    basic power conditioner, 8 outlets, 3 different filters, including 2 for digital components (unused) . Not current limiting. plugged into a dedicated circuit.
    • VPI rcm 16.5
    aha -getting some good use from my bose noise canceling headphones (just for hearing protection, i dont play music thru them)

Comments 22

Showing all comments by mert.

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first of all I am not worried about credibility issues since I am not a seller here and not trying to sell any gear. Plus this is my ''OWN'' opinion about Pass Labs-VTL 6.5 mating. I just kindly wanted to share with you but you felt an offense. X250.5-350.5. Yes There is a sonic difference however X350.5 is the more biased Class AB derivitive of X250.5 which is 10-15 watt more in class A mode. This will be important if your speakers are difficult to drive.
Another point, I have made my Boulder-Pass assumption after having tested not in MY setup but loan gear that I had: Gryphon Antileon Sig. Pre-Power, Boulder 1060-1010, Pass Labs X-1, 2.5 pre X600.5 monos, Viola pre-mono, Accuphase A-45-C2400. Compared to these machines your VTL is a bit underclass. Sorry.
I tell you another point: there is another right way to find out either you are right with Pass amp or wrong is check with diyaudio-Passlabs forum. Even you may contact with Nelson directly and ask him to evaluate your system components.Maybe my credibility is lacking:) but not the Nelson's. :) However he is going to ask you why not using new Pass Preamp xp-10 or 20? :)
You are using someone's design (Nelson Pass)who hates tubes and mating with a tube preamp. I am a little bit speechless and can't go further. Good Luck!

mert

Actually I never heard VTL 6.5 together with Nelson Pass amplifier. I can make comments about the gear I am familiar. In your case I am an expert on Pass amps and know how to take the most out of them. As long as cables concerned I am always in state of upgrading and changing the things since I have quite good cable pool during these days. I have full setup of JPS aluminatas and PAD Anniversary cables. Transparents REF MM2 have tough competition, in other words:)

mert

I mean by single ended not the inputs of the amp, but as a design as nelson argues: single ended solid state, what I understand is an amp, has the concept of single ended tube designs but uses transistors instead of tubes. That is typical Pass sound, neither tube nor Solid State.
Since I have experienced a lot with Pass amps I can say best result will be for Pass amp if it is used with Boulder series preamps or similar in sound character.
In your case, I know your amp, speakers, and cables:) Your weakest link is your preamp. However this is my weakest link as well:)

mert

Nice setup, similar to mine. There are a few things that you may follow:
if you want most from PAD cable, try on Poweramp! Since you have esoteric, logical powercord is Acrolink Mexcel since internal wiring of esoteric made by Acrolink as well.
If finaces allow replace VTL with Boulder 810 or 1010 which works together indeed good since Pass is Single Ended S.S.(single ended amp but with transistors yields some sort of hybrid sound)
As you know I run this combination in past and satisfied.

mert

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