Agreed.
I’d also add the average consumer doesn’t want to race to the volume when the peaks are so loud that it’s either uncomfortable or startling.
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Stumbled across this LP today when stopping in at my summer home to check things out after a recent 6 inch snow fall.
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Kudos on changing the thread title. That took all of the accusation or warning feel away and is a much friendlier approach to the same info!
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And the thread has turned into a productive, interesting discussion. Nice job, everyone!
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This thread has gotten to be a long living breathing and healthy one. At one time I thought we would be done with sushi and apple pie/tart!
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And I thought I as over my apple pie craving. I guess I need to head into the house and start making a crust.
Good news is I can listen to Neil Young’s new album Barn while puttering around the kitchen.
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@vkennedy61 Did you ever get a boost from plugging your router into the regenerator?
BIngo !! Great point, Galen.
I got bored waiting for the new DSD so recently took 1/10 of Al’s cable budget and traded in my Pass XP-30 for the XP-32. (Mark and the Reno Hi-Fi reboot are back up and running). Yeah, I know. Audioquest Dragon and all that, but everything in the chain runs through the preamp on the way to my ears, so that was an (il)logical priority. Or so I convinced myself.
For this iteration, Wayne lowered the noise floor yet again, so the expected increase in lower level detail was there. What I didn’t expect was the rather startling (at times) increase in perceived dynamics at normal listening levels.
There is such a thing as “microdynamics,” if you will. Audiophiles fawn over “trouser flapping bass,” but going from pianissimo to forte conveys as much, if not more, than the full-throttle bombast, although the latter can be fun. I thought the lower noise level had me turning up the volume more, but when I dragged out the SPL meter to double-check my perception, I found that I was perceiving a more dynamic presentation at typical SPL levels (~78-83).
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Yeah, but unfortunately I’ll ultimately succumb to peer pressure. Cables are not unlike Kryptonite, y’know. Cryo-treated Kryptonite.
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Cryo Kryptonite cable vs Dragon cable…a shoot out maybe?
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For exactly those reasons I hardly ever listen to large orchestral works at home because stereo dynamics can’t do it justice. Baroque and classical chamber orchestras are OK, often limited to a couple of horns.
I’ve not been to much rock music in recent years (I assume Nickleback is a rock group). Radiohead play very loud and it is an immersive experience. Their recordings have far more dynamics and are a completely different experience. On the other hand, a Massive Attack concert in 2019 was not that loud (people could talk to each other) and a really good musical experience.
Mark–my audio pusher–took my XP 30 in for a 32 also. Every time I upgrade, it far exceeds his predictions. This thing is stunning.
Next–an XP27 phono.
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As of today, I’d say no. I run a fiber backbone from my core to the switch in my audio cabinet. Prior to the move to the regenerator it was plugged into a Transparent Audio PowerWave. Perhaps between the fiber and the conditioner they were enough to smooth out the rough edges.
I decided to leave the switch plugged into the P10. If another piece of gear comes along like a pair of 300’s to replace my 250, then I’ll move the switch back to PowerWave since I am our of outlets on the P10.
Does switch run on a LPS or SMPS. I found putting on a LPS was big bump. Then LPS to aftermarket cords even bigger. Perhaps with fiber you lack my issues I had to fix.
Definitely agree!
Wow, preamp changes! I have my XP-30 and will soon have a T+A P3100HV, reported to be fantastic, too. I’ll keep my XP-30, though. The P3100 HV isn’t tubes but…the 30 has just been so good. Let you all know how that comparison goes. It needs TWO power cords so glad I have a P20.
Thinking of BHK300 for back-up amps. You that use them…toughts?
Hope you have great stuff to enjoy with your XP-32! With great gear old stuff sounds all new. I agree more true dynamics replaces high SPL’s.
I have some additions to reinforce that aspect of music, detail and micro-dynamics count. More on that later.
Best,
Galen
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It’s SMPS. I don’t think anything in the Unifi line is LPS.
Actually, no. I’m running the Pass XA-160.8 monoblocks with Martin-Logan stats. There’s something appealing about Nelson’s back-to-fundamentals sledgehammer approach. 
And as you well know, M-L’s turn the usual advice of spending half your budget on speakers on it’s head. They’re fussy eaters. 
I’ve been meaning to post the system. Maybe I’ll get around to that when I get to try the new DSD…
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They built it with an internal supply looks like a nice commercial grade unit.
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