I heard the Bricasti M28s compared to McIntosh 601s, Jeff Rowland 725 mono-amps, and Absolare tube amps in the same system. The Absolare is in a different price category, but was my favorite amp . The M28s were my least favorite with a very dark sound and not musical to my ears. All amps were driving Raidho C3.1s.
Pass labs XA-160.8 monos - or - Mark Levinson 536 monos for Magico's
If you had to chose today / now one of these sets of mono-blocks for same money what would you choose?
Pass labs XA-160.8 monos
- or -
Mark Levinson 536 monos
_________________
Associated gear
Source
Bricasti M1SE w/M12 built in ethernet media player
SGC sonicTranporter Roon Server w/Uptone JS-2 LPS
TLS OCXO ethernet Switch & 912 OCXO LPS
TLS Reference CAT7 ethernet cable loom
TLS Reference DC cable loom
Preamp
(Either Mark Levinson 523 or Pass Labs XP-30) based on monos chosen
Speakers
Magico S5 MK II
Cables
Kubala-Sosna Emotion/Elation Full Loom
___________________________________
https://www.passlabs.com/amplifier/xa160.8
https://www.marklevinson.com/productdetail/~/product/no536.html
Pass labs XA-160.8 monos
- or -
Mark Levinson 536 monos
_________________
Associated gear
Source
Bricasti M1SE w/M12 built in ethernet media player
SGC sonicTranporter Roon Server w/Uptone JS-2 LPS
TLS OCXO ethernet Switch & 912 OCXO LPS
TLS Reference CAT7 ethernet cable loom
TLS Reference DC cable loom
Preamp
(Either Mark Levinson 523 or Pass Labs XP-30) based on monos chosen
Speakers
Magico S5 MK II
Cables
Kubala-Sosna Emotion/Elation Full Loom
___________________________________
https://www.passlabs.com/amplifier/xa160.8
https://www.marklevinson.com/productdetail/~/product/no536.html