I bought the Panasonic XR 55 from amazon thanks to this forum  ;D I was using Marantx 7400 prior to this purchase. Initially I am using the panny with those newstar 300W transfomer. After ab test with a well made 1000W transfomer, I found the different in power supply is huge. It give much more power and handle the speaker with ease. After several weeks of listening, the clarity, resolution and sound stage from this little Av amp really amaze me. All the while I am using biwire for my main speaker to make full use of the bi amp function.

 

Yesterday I have a friend who just purchased a dedicated parasound av pre pro and parasound 806 six channel power amp. He invited me to brought my panny over for ab test since always hear me sing praise for my panny. At that point of time he probably didnt know what the outcome will be. After some extensive listening and testing, we both comfirm that the bi amp function of the panny offer much more power than his parasound 806( think is 6 X 85watts) in term of stereo listening. It come as a surprise to him and even me, although all along find this panny is good, but never has i ever think the power it offer can exceed a dedicated power amp! With the Martin Logan speaker he has, the panny handle it with ease but the parasound cant really offer the power it need in comparison! All the testing is done in 2 channel stereo listening, we didnt have time and chance to compare the 5.1/7.1 capability of both amp. Sonically speaking, both sound very different, i would say depend on one's preference, though i has to agree parasound has very slight advantage in musical ability.

 

For those who has the panasonic XR 55, congrats!!! You have made a great choice to buy them and dare i say it will definately outperform those av receiver 2 times of its price.

That's Great! I wonder who'll be the first one here with the new XR57... won't be very long I think... ;D

I bought the Panasonic XR 55 from amazon thanks to this forum  ;D I was using Marantx 7400 prior to this purchase. Initially I am using the panny with those newstar 300W transfomer. After ab test with a well made 1000W transfomer, I found the different in power supply is huge.

 

Hi, which model of the 1000Watts transformer r U using ? What's the price & where to get it ?

 

Really unbeliveable  ??? as the Panny is stated to have a power consumption of only 135Watts so how come using a 1000W & 300W made such a difference ?

 

Maybe electronics experts can enlighten us.  ;D 

It's already available online at BHphotovideo ... but i think wait for Amazon for free shipping to vPostUSA :)

Probably cos the 1000watts one is more well made, introducing less artifacts and more stable power.

I keep on highlighting that power supply and cord makes a big difference to the XR series. :)

Hi, which model of the 1000Watts transformer r U using ? What's the price & where to get it ?

 

 

I am also interested for this.

Hi, which model of the 1000Watts transformer r U using ? What's the price & where to get it ?

 

Really unbeliveable  ??? as the Panny is stated to have a power consumption of only 135Watts so how come using a 1000W & 300W made such a difference ?

 

Maybe electronics experts can enlighten us.  ;D 

 

I think Quest has highlighted the reason, it is the build of the transfomer I guess. When I bring back the newstar to Sim Lim Tower to exchange for the "Super" transformer, the shop owner immediately tell me: "This is an industry grade transfomer, it will provide much stable power as compare to the newstar, you can even open it 24 hours a day without problem unlike the newstar."

 

The "Super" transformer is totally black, very heavy and sturdy. The price for the "Super" transformer is $120, I paid about $82 since i upgraded the newstar to it. Luckily the shop owner allow me to do upgrade and take back my newstar transformer. However, I still feel it is money well spent considering the improvement I got in the sound.

 

Not a bad price indeed. My custom 1000w transformer is double the price.

If transformers were not so heavy, I won't mind having a shootout for transformers. haha

 

Anyway, do your research on transformers before buying. Certain ones are not suitable to leave on 24 hours also.

All the good review on this little beast give me the itch of upgrading my receiver.  ;D So the latest is XR57?

All the good review on this little beast give me the itch of upgrading my receiver.  ;D So the latest is XR57?

 

Yes, latest is XR57. :) You can be the first owner of it here!

Major advantage is to choose Bi-amp connection if your speakers are able to do that...

to hear/see the full potential of your speakers.

 

I think those who are using Bi-amp connection can give some more comment.  :)

Yes, latest is XR57. :) You can be the first owner of it here!

 

Depending on the outcome of the coming World Cup bet. ;D Btw, what's the main improvement over the XR55?

main improvement over XR55 is

 

Improvements

HDMI 1.2 input/output

HDAVI control over HDMI

Dual-Amp drive (what?) in 5.1 mode [XR55 only does it when running in stereo mode]

TV Sync delay

 

downsides

only ONE HDMI 1.2 input/output

you don't have other HDAVI compatible components

less 1 component input (to accommodate HDMI.. bleah)

less 1 TOSLink input (add 1 coax input)

no tweaking TV Sync Delay (on /off only)

 

same~same

no video conversion (switch only with same input)

no OSD

binding posts on all channels

 

Any luck getting the 230-240V for the XR-57?

I think Quest has highlighted the reason, it is the build of the transfomer I guess. When I bring back the newstar to Sim Lim Tower to exchange for the "Super" transformer, the shop owner immediately tell me: "This is an industry grade transfomer, it will provide much stable power as compare to the newstar, you can even open it 24 hours a day without problem unlike the newstar."

 

The "Super" transformer is totally black, very heavy and sturdy. The price for the "Super" transformer is $120, I paid about $82 since i upgraded the newstar to it. Luckily the shop owner allow me to do upgrade and take back my newstar transformer. However, I still feel it is money well spent considering the improvement I got in the sound.

 

 

Thanks for sharing.  8) Could U reveal which shop U bought & which type\model (if any) of this "super" transformer so that those interested can go & have a look ?

Lastly, could U list down the dimension of this transformer as I have limited space in my console.  :-*  Thanks.

 

Any luck getting the 230-240V for the XR-57?

 

I'm sure the UK and Australian versions will be available sooner or later, as they have been available for the XR55. however the XR55 was GBP270 in UK and AU$700 in Australia and you can expect the prices to be higher for the XR57

Just in case any of you are still thinking of getting the Panny XR-55, stocks are now available on Amazon.com.

 

I'm sure the UK and Australian versions will be available sooner or later, as they have been available for the XR55. however the XR55 was GBP270 in UK and AU$700 in Australia and you can expect the prices to be higher for the XR57

 

Ok thanks. Keep us updated. One concern is the HD-DD/DTS which will be avail soon.  :(

then you might have to wait for the XR700

 

 

its the one at the bottom, and the BD player DMP-BD10 on top

then you might have to wait for the XR700

 

And then get a Blu-Ray and HD-DVD player with HDMI.  ;D

Thought I'd revive this thread so that Quest can hopefully post from which shop did he get his 1000W industrial grade Power Transformer in SLT.

I thot Quest's was custom made

hmm, yah its custom made.

my contact was thru hacknet at echoloft. you can try giving him a tinker.

jeff, if you are adventurous you can check out dbchoong's DIY transformer

 

btw don't you already have one for the Tosh?

jeff, if you are adventurous you can check out dbchoong's DIY transformer

 

btw don't you already have one for the Tosh?

 

Yah.. however the one I got is only rated for 350W.  Now have to prepare for three other devices aka XR57, PS3 and Wii.