Amplification: Should I be going X-Pre, Nu-Vista Pre or....

[cooperd70]

Current setup:
MF X-A2 75w stereo integrated, passive bi-amped with two X-A200 monoblocks which feed a pair of ATC SCM7's (1st edition speakers) on stands with just a Pro-Ject RPM5 turntable connected to the integrated via a Pro-Ject Phonobox s2 Ultra.

The X-A2 I have owned from new (its never been touched).  The pair of X-A200's I bought 2nd hand off of eBay some years ago (not sure if the previous owner was the original owner or not) and I am unsure as to whether they have been previously opened or not.  Everything seems to run well.

I have always wondered if going pre-amplifier and loosing the X-A2 (reconnecting the bi-wire terminals on the ATC's) would be a drop in performance or due to their being less the sound could be more!  As some older pre-amps can be picked up relatively cheaply on the bay now may be nows the time to have some trial and error listening tests.

Wonder if Mike or anyone else has any thoughts on the X-Pre (any version) and the Nu-Vista Pre?  I can see that the Nu-Vista Pre comes with its own outboard power supply and the X-Pre comes with a wallwart power supply.  Any thoughts on the Nu-Vista being miles ahead of the run-of-the-mill X-Pre.  Due to it being a limited production run they do hold a higher value when trying to get hold of one over the X-Pre model.

Then there is also the modding aspect.  Would love to hear anyones thoughts on modding.  I am not a solderer and so would prefer to ship to an expert to have any mods done, again, if there is anyone on here that can offer that service.

All feedback very welcome.

[nando]

Hi!
Nice setup!

If you want to know if the xa-200 is modded you could (unplug powersocket first from mains) and unscrew the two screws on the front and take a look. If you post some photo’s here we (I) can probably see if there has been worked on. I have the xa200 myself and worked on them.

The xpre is a very good pre amp. And when it has fresh components (capacitors and tubes) they are better still and good for many years to come.

I have the nu vista too and mine isn’t stock anymore. Maybe that was a mistake because the value is probably lower now but I put some high quality stuff in there. Only problem is the selector switch which is broken in mine and is hard to replace. The sound from the nu vista isn’t very much different from the xpre.
The xp200 (the pre amp) is almost the same as the nu vista and cheaper. Even the pcb (the green plate where the internal components are soldered on) is exactly identical because the xp200 has one with the name nu vista on it. The big difference is that the nu vista has the mini tubes and the other doesn’t.

[cooperd70]

Dec 24, 2019 8:53:40 GMT nando said:

Hi!
Nice setup!

If you want to know if the xa-200 is modded you could (unplug powersocket first from mains) and unscrew the two screws on the front and take a look. If you post some photo’s here we (I) can probably see if there has been worked on. I have the xa200 myself and worked on them.

The xpre is a very good pre amp. And when it has fresh components (capacitors and tubes) they are better still and good for many years to come.

I have the nu vista too and mine isn’t stock anymore. Maybe that was a mistake because the value is probably lower now but I put some high quality stuff in there. Only problem is the selector switch which is broken in mine and is hard to replace. The sound from the nu vista isn’t very much different from the xpre.
The xp200 (the pre amp) is almost the same as the nu vista and cheaper. Even the pcb (the green plate where the internal components are soldered on) is exactly identical because the xp200 has one with the name nu vista on it. The big difference is that the nu vista has the mini tubes and the other doesn’t.

Thanks Nando. Looks like I may try out an x-pre. Once I have found one is there anyone on here that could mod it for me? Are any of the pinkies set up to also power the x-pre?

[uncle3]

Please find the attached link that Mike actually did a very detailed report regarding “modify” the X-PRE. That is awesome.

rockgrotto.proboards.com/thread/9361/musical-fidelity-pre-rejuvination

[cooperd70]

Dec 27, 2019 11:53:54 GMT uncle3 said:

Please find the attached link that Mike actually did a very detailed report regarding “modify” the X-PRE. That is awesome.

rockgrotto.proboards.com/thread/9361/musical-fidelity-pre-rejuvination

Many thanks uncle3. Will be looking out for a x-pre and then maybe get in touch with Mike...wonder if he'd take the work on for me

[nando]

Mike will do the work for you. You’ll get the x-pre back, better than new. If you don’t like the x-pre you can sell it again easily.