Comparing XS2 and SN2 . What to listen for.

This may sound like a flippant reply, but it's not.  Choose the one you enjoy listening to the most. If you go in with some pre conceived idea of what you should be listening for,  you will likely make the process more difficult than it need be.

Please don't take this the wrong way but that's probably a bit of a strange question, the aim of a demo being that you should listen and draw your own conclusions as to how these amps compare and sound to you. You can listen for specific parameters (how does bass/mid/treble compare? how do they compare in terms of dynamics? how wide/deep is the stereo image etc. etc.) and/or more holistically, i.e. how do you find the overall musical experience/what connects you more with the music. I tend to do both when doing demos, but the latter is always the deciding one for me (as this is how I listen to music at home). Enjoy the demo - hopefully it will give you a clear(er) picture.

Which one makes music the most engaging, natural and real? That’s the one to get. 

Make sure they are both set up well on the demo. You should be familiar with the XS2 since you already use one, I'd listen to that first to make sure everything else is in order. Then swap in the SN2. Try and establish in your own thoughts what is different. Afterwards put back in the XS2 and listen to what's missing or just different.

Use music that you know and enjoy and it helps to put on something that is not familiar or a genre that you don't usually listen to within a range of various loudness. Good luck.

Get the SN2 warmed up a bit before you draw conclusions..

Let your dealer leave it ON foe about an hour before you pop in the music 

If you ask me, a demo is only going to give you a vague idea. Borrow the SN2 from your dealer for a weekend and hear it in your own room

Bf56 posted:

I have a dem booked with my dealer ...  What ..should I be listening for.

Probably the many upgrade options too, Flatcap, Hicap etc

Will your dealer demo on similar speakers as your own ?

I believe the best thing to do is forget about sound, and think about music and your enjoyment of it, which is pretty much what many of the above have said.  When choosing the music to use in a demo, I would also suggest not choosing pieces that you think sound great, or bad, but just what's important to you, music you really enjoy regardless of the SQ performance of any recording in your current system.  In my experience that leads to good choices.

Thank you all for your comments. SN2 on order. I must commend the service from Matt and Andrew at my  dealer on the Hagley Rd,Edgbaston,  Birmingham. Not sure if I can name the dealership, but they make the Music Matter. 

Bob 

SN2 installed today. Sounding excellent straight out of the box.....I'm sure it will get even better. 

Bob F

Well done and congratulations

Congratulations!   I am sure you will enjoy the SN2.....

I made the change from the XS 2 to the SN2 nine months ago and I have been quite happy...... enjoy!

I have owned/heard both and they have similar characters.

I like the XS2 but the SN2 gives more of everything.

Good choice.