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Post by jinster on Sept 11, 2020 0:33:30 GMT -5
Hi guys.
My XPA-2 are pretty good for movies but really isn't very musical for stereo...
I am thinking about going down the valve route to warm up the sound and expand the stereo separation/sound stage.
I hear good things about Primaluna and the EVO 200 series seems to fit the bill. The price for Evo 200 Pre-amp and Integrated amp is actually very similar... so I am contemplating maybe getting the integrated amp and try it in its own right, or use its headphone-out as a pre-out and run my Emotiva from that headphone signal - Anybody see any problems with that idea?
Also, wondering if anybody has a similar or exact setup as what I am proposing - a musical valve pre-amp and an Emotiva power amp.... does the SS power amp following the pre-amp take away much of the warmness? I am asking just in case I decide to go Evo pre-amp for some reason....
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Post by tropicallutefisk on Sept 11, 2020 6:20:14 GMT -5
I have two DR1s powering a pair of Magnepan 3.7is with a Marantz 8802a processor previously used for both movies and music. I was never really pleased with the sound quality of this set up for music. I added a Schiit Freya+ as a preamp and it improved the quality of my two channel listening immensely. Before I'd describe the sound as thin/anemic/flat. I think the Freya definitely "warmed" the sound, but it also brought more depth to the music.
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Post by davidl81 on Sept 11, 2020 7:46:35 GMT -5
I have two DR1s powering a pair of Magnepan 3.7is with a Marantz 8802a processor previously used for both movies and music. I was never really pleased with the sound quality of this set up for music. I added a Schiit Freya+ as a preamp and it improved the quality of my two channel listening immensely. Before I'd describe the sound as thin/anemic/flat. I think the Freya definitely "warmed" the sound, but it also brought more depth to the music. I had a 8802a and also found it to sound very thin. Swapping out the AV8802a for my RMC-1 was a huge step up in 2 channel audio quality. |
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Post by LuisV on Sept 11, 2020 8:23:26 GMT -5
I've read nothing but good things about Primaluna; however, I don't have any first hand experience with the brand. Since I'm extremely happy with my current and previous headphone setups from Schiit audio, I decided to purchase the Freya + and a pair of Vidars... I couldn't be happier. Schiit provides a 15 day in home trial, I wish it was longer, but the resale value for their products is pretty high, so I wasn't concerned if I changed my mind after the 15 days. What speakers do you plan on using?
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Post by rbk123 on Sept 11, 2020 8:40:24 GMT -5
I doubt it's the amp that is causing your 2 channel unhappiness; differences in performance at the level the XPA-2 is at amongst others, is very small/subtle. Once you get a good amp, changing amps is way down the list on impacting overall system sound compared to speaker/preamps/room treatments at the top, yet they are the favorite amongst audiophiles to constantly change.
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Post by garbulky on Sept 11, 2020 11:35:38 GMT -5
Which gen? Is it a single blade gen 3? Then I would suggest stepping down to a gen 2. I thought they spunddd more natural. Tube gear will give you a different sound (or should preferably do so). Whether you like it or not is really a subjective thing. I’ve heard one tube amp that I thought was exceptionally good and it definitely sounded different ina good way. (They are custom amps not for sale). Most of the others had room for improvement over good solid state.
I will tell you that if you are chasing tube sound you need a tube amp. Tube preamps coupled to solid state may end up giving you just a bit of tube sound and not enough of what you want.
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Post by leonski on Sept 12, 2020 19:21:10 GMT -5
Hi guys. My XPA-2 are pretty good for movies but really isn't very musical for stereo... I am thinking about going down the valve route to warm up the sound and expand the stereo separation/sound stage. I hear good things about Primaluna and the EVO 200 series seems to fit the bill. The price for Evo 200 Pre-amp and Integrated amp is actually very similar... so I am contemplating maybe getting the integrated amp and try it in its own right, or use its headphone-out as a pre-out and run my Emotiva from that headphone signal - Anybody see any problems with that idea? Also, wondering if anybody has a similar or exact setup as what I am proposing - a musical valve pre-amp and an Emotiva power amp.... does the SS power amp following the pre-amp take away much of the warmness? I am asking just in case I decide to go Evo pre-amp for some reason.... Maybe FEWER but BETTER watts? How sensitive are current speakers? Good integrated? Parasound HALO HINT6? parasound.com/hint.phpSystem matching is critical.....I'm really not certain about running a headphone output INTO an amplifier, though I do run my iPhone into a dedicated input with proper gain....which may end up being the issue. Have the output of the 'headphone' device high enough to be in a sweet-spot of SNR while not overloading the INPUT and causing distortion.....very unpleasant. |
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Post by vcautokid on Sept 13, 2020 3:59:50 GMT -5
No harm running a headphone output into an amplifier. Not the best connection. I think if you want to do tubes/valves. Get a Preamplifier. Your choice what that might be. The Schiit Freya+ hits well above its price range. The Prima Luna Preamplifier is sublime for the money. Build quality is amazing. Your XPA-2 depending on the version. Unclear which one you have. It would still do well with the either of these. The Schiit Freya+ plus has balanced out and is fully Differential as well. Don't believe the Prima Luna is. But the sound is still amazing. Soul without being sloppy. Strongly recommend tube rolling for the best tune. Same with the Schiit Freya+. Either one will most likely float your boat.The Freya+ much less expensive giving more latitude on tube rolling for instance. You got to go with what you like. Not necessarily what we say, but if you keep the XPA2 in the game, take full advantage of it running a Preamplifier from its line outputs. Also the output impedance from the headphone output is not ideal anyway. Though you don't hurt anything, you will run into additional noise issues possibly as you crank up the volume versus the proper impedance line output from a Preamplifier, tube/valve or otherwise.
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Post by bluemeanies on Sept 13, 2020 8:30:00 GMT -5
I have to agree with GAR on this one.
I had search for years for the elusive never realizing how much better music sounds when valves are in the mix. I have had lots of setups in SS with a variety of brands..Marantz,Yamaha,Pioneer,Outlaw,Denon and Emotiva both separates and AVR that make big promises but do not deliver. SS...IMO..does not have the piszazz that vales posess. I also have mixed SS and tubes. The GRACE m920 and the m125 tube monoblocks from Bob Latino. The sound was rich and the detail was right on. I think Bob Latinos products (kit form) are for the person who is on the fence about tubes. They are reasonably priced, enjoyable and a good piece to get your feet wet if you were thinking about stepping it up in tubes.
Good luck whatever you decide.
One last thought about MY journey.
I have discovered the newness of buying USED high end audio equipment.
The idea of oweing such brands as McIntosh, Conrad Johnson, and Bat were for me out of my league, however my last purchase was used and I cannot be more happy. Quality not only in performance but in design.
High end equipment at a fraction of the cost.
Good Luck
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