Tannoy Everyone?! with Leben CS600 or Pass XA25/30.5?


Wow. 200 hours and the Stirling are sounding really great!

My Leben cs600 seems to run out of juice though - especially on the digital side. The gain from my phonostage leaves some room, but the 2mV output from my DAC not so much.

I'm thinking Pass Labs w/a tube pre and am curious if an XA25 will drive them? Or an XA30.5 might be better? Any experience would be helpful. Gracias, amigos.

budburma

I'm surprised the leben not cutting it... I have the luxman class a 550ax2 with only 25watts and my ardens are more than happy... I tried my cs300xs before but the 18w on that was a bit uncontrolled on the bass..... 

The luxman 590 would be great too as more headroom... 

@richdirector Maybe the Arden/s 93dB sensitivity/20wpc minimum reco vs. 91dB/30wpc holds the answer there. The Leben is 32wpc class a/b while the Luxman in class a has much more current. I don't have any experience with class a power beyond the first few watts in  Plinius integrated and an SA201 I had years back - hardly relevant!....I can only call 'em as I hear 'em. 

There seems to be some evidence around that 25wpc in Class A would do the trick with the Stirlings, too.

@richdirector Forgot the other piece: The 590 is on my radar - and I think you're right! The 507or 9 would likely have the same, but there seems to be some magic to class A and Tannoy. Accuphase reviews as more my sonic palate, but the well known overpricing on these shores is a pretty offpissing gouge and hard to support.

Thanks for your input and insight!

There are some 590 on the ex demo side that would be in budget but was always curious of first watt myself but more expensive in UK 

And I'm very happy with luxman.... Think the tannoys give some of that accuphase style themselves so the combo may be too warm. But also to e Controls on amp and crossover tone control on speakers can tweak. Saying that I tried but prefer flat on both... But loudness button on luxman magic when playing low very late at night (up to 40db)