Pass, Bryston or tubes for Maggie 3.7?

Sceptic -- Thu, 09/06/2012 - 08:10

What would you choose and why, Pass XA100.5 or a similarly priced Bryston?...or perhaps even a Ref150?

Zach -- Thu, 09/06/2012 - 10:37

Pass XA100.5. Many qualities of tube amplfiication with the prowl and power of solid-state. An ideal balance between both technologies.

JLeeMD -- Thu, 09/06/2012 - 11:42

Bryston. Magneplanar uses Bryston amplifiers at shows to show off their speakers.

staxguy -- Thu, 09/06/2012 - 12:31

Devaliet D-Premier. Great pre-amp, streamer and DAC integrated with Bryston 28BSST2 (IMO better) quality amplification at 240W. Good phono stage.
Comparable priced would be Bryston 4BSST2 amp, BP26 DA, Squeezebox Touch + good cables. (Save a few $thousand).

Actually, you may be more than fine with a Bryston system. I can see the desire for a more modular sytem.

T_Bop -- Mon, 09/10/2012 - 05:11

Say goodbye to the Squeezebox Touch as it's been discontinued by Logitech. Anyone know if the Sonos Connect has been verified as bit perfect? I haven't seen any reviews of this unit but it sounds promising.

staxguy -- Mon, 09/10/2012 - 10:03

Ok. Mention it, because it is software upgradable to 24/192 streaming, bit-perfect. Sonos, I don't believe. If you go the Bryston route, worth comparing the BDA-1 DAC with the internal DAC option (24/96). Enjoy.

Sonus Connect (and all other Sonos) is plain 16/44.1 KHz, and doesn't do high-res. Funny for the $399 price. $99 Apple Airport express seems a better choice. Hi Fi shops naturally push the Sonos as there are at least a couple bucks in margin, perhaps.

Logitech Squeezebox touch still available in stores today.

T_Bop -- Tue, 09/11/2012 - 20:59

Yes - get them while they last...