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.
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
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- 19 posts total
- 19 posts total