2. amps-preamps
  3. 168468-111061

More watts or better power ?

Hello, I am currently running a PS Audio BHK Preamp, which has a tube input stage, to a Pass Labs XA25, Class A (50watts at 4 ohms) power Amp, into a pair of Sonus Faber Minima Amator II bookshelf speakers. My system sounds very good, and at 4ohms, I have 50 watts of power to my speakers, which is on the lower end of their rating.

What would be a better investment (most bang for the buck) into the system? Replace the XA25 with a higher watt amp (PS Audio BHK 250?), or spend the same money on a power conditioner (PS Audio Power Plant II?) Or upgrade the Minima Amator (which are sounding very good) to another set of speakers.

The system is in my bedroom, I have a very small house, hence the smaller Sonus Faber Speakers. I have beenplaying around with an SVS micro sub as well.

Other system parts, Clear Audio Concept/ Concept MC, Pass Labs XP15, Little Green Roon Server, Schitt Yiggi, and a Luxman MQ 88 Tube amp in rotation.

Appreciate your input
Mark O





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Showing 2 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,243 posts
 
Very nice collection you have. Unless you need more volume, nonononono

Unless that stylus is worn, the only thing I would be tempted to do is find a sub (or pair of small subs).

Who aligned the cartridge? Do you have alignment skills and tools? If not, research, learning and a few tools would lead to a nice achievement.

How big is the room? Listening position to appreciate imaging? 

Tubes: a simple tube tester is a nice thing to have.


elliottbnewcombjr
5,243 posts
 
I see those speakers have a rear port. not knowing where your speakers are relative to walls/corners, they may be making more bass, but smearing things a speck.

While trying a sub, you might temporarily block the ports, just to learn something, it takes patience and time with familiar music.

the speakers will not be trying to make low bass after the crossover for the sub, so they will sound different anyway, so I would only mess with the ports AFTER I found a sub that I might keep.

My office, my old velodyne servo 1200 sub fell apart. I tried a single inexpensive sub, got lucky: not to add bass as much as to keep things from feeling a bit thin. Volume just enough, not aware of it unless I turn it off. That’s all you need to make a small system sound beyond small.

If you ever go for another preamp/integrated, I advise having pre-out main in. then you can send the primary need for power to the sub’s amp. both the amp and the speakers get a break.


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