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Aegir upgrade to Pass...maybe

I have had a Schiit Aegir for about a year now. I drive quite efficient Crites loudspeakers. I am thinking of getting an amp with a little more power. The following are my leanings.
Pass LabsXA25
Pass Labs XA30.8
Benchmark AHB2
I think the XA25 will be a good choice but wondered about the XA30.8. Somewhere I read that the XA25 actually sounds better than the 30.8. The 30.8 is monstrous at 94 lbs.

Also, I see high ratings for Benchmark. Does this sound like Class A, A/B or D? The reviews say really detailed and accurate but it is definitely different than the Schiit or Pass Amps. Plenty of power for my system for sure.

Thanks for your opinions and suggestions in advance.
daledeee1
wolf_garcia
6,796 posts
 
I owned 2 Aegirs as the first one was faulty and was replaced. The second one had the same issue (although not as pronounced as the first) of shutting itself off when pushed a little (and not so much...my 99db speakers get loud fast with little wattage). When I replaced the Aegir with my Dennis Had tube amp all was well again, and the Had amp sounds so much better I sent the Aegir back. I've heard the XA25 in a friend's system but not in mine, and it sounded amazingly good...I might try one some day but my little single ended tube amp is so good there's simply no hurry.
daledeee1's avatar
daledeee1 OP
638 posts
 
I have heard very good things about Dennis Had amps, especially for the money!  The only tube amps I am familiar with are MacIntosh,  The few stores I have been to were pushing tube equipment.  I have been tempted to try a tube amp but haven't....

I retired last year and planned on visiting audio stores but you know the rest of the story. I consider myself lucky to have advise and the internet.  I have been a full time student the last year!!

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
2,173 posts
 
@ daledeee1, Maybe buy another Aegir and run mono blocks. I run two on my jbl 4435 monitors sounds great, plenty of power. The pass labsXA25 is a great amp. But two Aegir is far less money. If have the money, go for the pass XA25. You will love it.
BTW,  The XA25 is the closes to a tube amp you will find. IMO :-)
wolf_garcia
6,796 posts
 
Note that Dennis Had sells new amps on eBay only (except some "Dragon Inspire" stuff over at Moon Audio), and as with any lower powered single ended amp you should use efficient speakers. My "Firebottle HO" is the best sounding amp I've heard in many decades of this stuff.
soix
10,367 posts
 
I’d also have the Clayton Audio S40 high on my radar. 
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