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

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https://www.passlabs.com/amplifier/xa160.8

https://www.marklevinson.com/productdetail/~/product/no536.html


128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xfsmithjack
AtmaSphere is cool and not something even on my radar. Thanks 

VAC - one of these just showed up on here. How are these? There are no reviews or anything but VAC is known as great stuff. Anyone hear of this preamp?

VAC PHI 2.0 Preamp



https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9c3gf-vac-phi-2-0-preamp-tube
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fsmithjack

I own a VAC Signature MkIIse preamp with line and phono stage.  I don't think it can get too much better from a sonic perspective....BUT (and a real big BUT), at this price level, we are deep into diminishing incremental returns territory.  DIFFERENT sonic characteristics may be audible in comparison to other premium brands, but whether these differences are BETTER is purely a matter of subjective taste for varying sonic flavors.   

I did choose to listen to them both and then I purchased the Pass Labs 160.8 which I loved until I listened to the best amp I’ve ever heard. It absolutely blew mind and it let me sell both my preamp and mono blocks. I purchased the incredible Ypsilon Phaethon and I’ve not heard anything better including much more Ypsilon separates. I’ve never head a component thread the needle between tubes and SS. It’s sounds like neither and both. It’s an end of the road component.

Absolutely neither ??

Not a fan of the Pass sound in general, and I've heard ML with Magico.  MEH!

I really think you need to expand your horizons here.