After learning that Mr.Tan has upgraded his preamplifier to the higher model, the PASS LAB XP 32, I was eagerly waiting for an invitation to re-listen his audio system.
I knew Mr.Tan to be an Ever Demanding and Passionate audiophile cum music lover, in his pursuit for Ultimate Sound Quality.
He wants to enjoy his ‘Music‘ in its intended ‘Musicality‘ and ‘Energy‘.
Therefore, he is always ‘wanting‘ to investigate and learn to better his audio system’s audio performance,…
and pushes it to its limit!
Therefore, I could understand his reply for ‘more time‘ to understand and set up the XP 32 into his current audio system before sending out the invitation.
I did share to him (before) that the…
preamplifier is the ‘Heart of the System‘
(that many audiophile choose to neglect) that requires ‘serious‘ attention. I have heard many audio systems suffered dynamically/ energy, resolution/ detail, staging, envelopment, involvement, engagement , etc etc etc due to a ‘lesser‘ preamplifier.
Therefore, I have investigated and invested heavily into preamplifiers to finally owned the FM ACOUSTICS 268C, the AUDIO NOTE M10S, the ARIES CERAT INCITO S, and the PILIUM ARES.
I found that the preamplifiers tend to have…
the ‘Right‘ or ‘Wrong‘ influence on the Audio System’s ‘Music Presentation‘.
Finally, the invitation came after some months,…and I was not (at all) surprised with the outcome from the inclusion of the XP 32 into the audio system.
Firstly, the Soundscape have obviously widened (compared to his previous lesser Pass Lab preamplifier), and given out the Illusion that it was wider than the entire front wall,…
or that the Soundscape is Wider and Bigger than the audio room!
Mr.Tan did share that the acquired Sound Quality from the inclusion of the XP 32 allowed him to repositioned the TAD REFERENCE ONE loudspeakers,…ever slightly.
Secondly, the images of the performers (vocalists and/ or instrumentalists) were…
better Delineated/ Outlined, better Density and heavier Weighted.
Thirdly, the much ‘quieter‘ preamplifier presented a Blacker Soundstage (comparatively) and within it…
greater Space/ more Air between the images of the performers.
There was apparent Depth at the Soundstage,…
therefore allowed the Perception to the Far and Back End of the Recording Venue.
Fourthly, the lower octaves/ bass were given more Volume and even more Control (Cleaner and Tighter) and Articulation. Therefore, the Music was more Alive and Impactful (supposedly),…and at the Right Tempo too,…
even I started to Foot-Tapping according to the “Strong Rhythmical Musical Beat” (Muhammad Ali ‘Float like a butterfly,…cont’)
I told Mr.Tan there and then that his audio system must be…
‘Doing It Right for my Body to React so’.
However, if any audio system is doing it wrong, the body will also react accordingly,…but not here.
Fifthly, there was more Details/ Resolution to be heard (comparatively),…especially at the minute, nuances and intricate level,…there were times,…
such details may not be audible but felt,…that was the Sensations of the Tone.
At the end of that listening session,…