Like everything else in this hobby, YMMV. Reno HiFi has a nice testing policy, I’d try to get whatever amp you are aiming for in your home and give it a listen for a few days.
Good luck!
I have heard the 150.8 vs. the 250.5 and the xa25 (along with Parasounds JC1s, Merrill Veritas, and lastly a Gryphon Diablo 300. The 150.8 was the most analytical of the pass amps - I liked the 250.5 the best of the Pass. The xa25 was a little too warm to me - it sounded like the "jump factor" of a hard snare drum was lost, if that makes sense. Like everything else in this hobby, YMMV. Reno HiFi has a nice testing policy, I’d try to get whatever amp you are aiming for in your home and give it a listen for a few days. Good luck! |
Old thread, but I just stumbled on it and will add I have been using a Pass 150.8 for 2 years and it remains my favorite solid state amp (42 years in the hobby). First solid state amp I could live with, and I find I rarely use my reference tube amp anymore (and I never rotate-in my other solid state amps). I use the 150.8 to drive QLN P3 speakers, feed by an LTA microZOTL preamp, and they all play really well together. Only complaint is the heat it produces (class A). |
Sonically I wasn't crazy over the 150.8. Build quality is fantastic but overall the midrange was analytical and boring. The bass was very good and highs were also however, I could never warm up to the amp. Was using with Sonus Faber Olympica 3s which were recommended for the 150.8. Ultimately went back to tubes and very satisfied. |
@koslekt1 How does the Diablo 300 compare to the Pass amps you have auditioned? |