Should I Sell My ARC REF 6 and Get A Pass Labs XP-32
So here's the question. I love my ARC REF 6. It's a great piece of equipment. But lately, I have been thinking that maybe I should switch from tubes to a Pass Labs XP-32, as I don't want to worry about replacing tubes in the future (like 5-10 years from now -- I know that there is plenty of stock now and I have a spare set anyway) as I approach retirement age. Of course, other than buying a Pass Labs XP-32 and putting it into my system to see how it sounds, I am at the mercy of professional reviewers. The rest of my system: I have a Pass Labs 250.8 (so I think that there would be great synergy with the XP-32), MSB Discrete DAC with Premier Power Base and Wilson Sabrina X speakers, and a full loom of Shunyata cables. Will the XP-32 be an improvement over the REF 6 for my system? Should I sell the REF 6 and get an XP-32?
Is moving from the ARC Ref 6 pre to the Pass Labs pre is a lateral move? Like choosing between chocolate or strawberry at Baskin and Robins. If so, it's a lot of trouble and money for a lateral move. Yes, the two have differences but does one really outshine the other? Think about moving up to a Gelato- or in Audio terms the next level up in preamps if wanting to make a change. Or does the XP-32 already correlate to an ARC Ref 10 in sound quality? |
My Pass XP22 was my first foray into a dedicated pre-amp, and a big reason I chose it was for it's neutrality based on all my research. Everything is subjective, of course, to some neutrality is boring or lacks excitement. To me, as I was getting into my journey I appreciated the detail, transparency, and neutrality as it allowed me to hear all the changes to the system I was making. And at this level, it really comes down to personal preference as nothing listed above is 'bad'.
I do want to try a tube preamp given how many positive comments there are just to see the difference, but for now, the XP22 is not going anywhere. |
@tonywinga I’d say moving in any direction between Ref 6 and XP22 is essentially a lateral move but it will come down to personal sonic preference, tube maintenance aside. |
