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Disappointment with Pass Labs - I'm looking for something else

Hello, I am new to this forum and my mother tongue is not English, so please forgive me if I make mistakes as I use a translator.

I recently bought an XA30.8 and an XP12. I was very happy but as time went by I began to not feel comfortable with the sound.
After doing many tests, I find that the XA30.8 sounds very very sweet but actually too much. I find it to be a loosely defined amp, somewhat muddy and lacks a lot of air and grip. The soundstage is very closed.

The XP-12 is the worst of the two. It is a previous that removes a lot of resolution and information, without transient attacks and sunken mid frequencies. Instead it brings warmth.

Has anyone of you found the same?

If you ask me, I have a Klipsch Cornwall and a dCS BArtok.

Now I want a capable amp, forceful, something warm, decisive, airy and with a great soundstage.

At first I thought of changing my XA30.8 for X250.8, and changing the XP-12 for a second-hand Audio Research Ref5. I am afraid of this change and continue with Pass, since I can go back to the same thing a bit.

On the other hand I have thought of going for a Luxman 900 combo, since it has very good reviews and from what I have read it could be the winning ticket.
opm
chilli42
111 posts
 
If you do go with the Pass X250 and AR Ref 5 pre ... take a close look at the gain matching. I have Pass XA 60.8, AR Ref 6 and Avantgarde UNO speakers.  The I love the sound of my setup but I can’t turn the volume control past 5 without blowing my ceiling off (so to speak).  I had to add attenuators.

One other thought, if the new speaker you find has a powered woofer you may not need to change your amp.
canthinkofanything
6 posts
 
I’m currently running a Bartok direct into Pass XA25 and it is not loosely controlled or overly sweet. Sound very fast, transparent and neutral to me. Maybe not warm though. Excellent soundstage air and detail. It’s all personal taste of course but it may be the speakers. Or cabling?
opm OP
40 posts
 
I would very much like to be able to test the Xa25. You in the USA have it very easy because the manufacturers offer demos at home but in Europe it is not like that.
The wiring is not the problem.
opm OP
40 posts
 
If you do go with the Pass X250 and AR Ref 5 pre ... take a close look at the gain matching. I have Pass XA 60.8, AR Ref 6 and Avantgarde UNO speakers.  The I love the sound of my setup but I can’t turn the volume control past 5 without blowing my ceiling off (so to speak).  I had to add attenuators.
I know AR preamps have a lot of gain. In my case, when I tested an LS27, with the "low gain" setting I didn't have that problem.
daledeee1's avatar
daledeee1
563 posts
 
I have Crites speakers which are quite similar in sound and setup to the Cornwall IV.  I use the Pass XA25 and find it to be quite neutral sounding, dynamic and great imaging.  I don't use a preamp. The 25 does not have 2nd harmonic distortion voiced into the amp.  This could be what you are hearing.  Also, I spent months positioning the speakers.  But it ended up being quite simple.  Point them so a line directly from center of each speaker intersects about 12 inches behind your head(not exact)  I also used the Vandersteen setup method.  This makes sure your speakers are not the same distance from the side wall as they are from the back wall to minimize phase and comb filtering.  I then had to add bass traps and diffusion panels.  This will really clean up imaging and bass definition.  Sub woofers can also open up the mid range. 

I did not care for tubes.    Muddy bass. 

I too wonder which preamp works good with this setup.  A tube preamp is often used but I would be asking which one just like you.  I am not sure a preamp would make my system sound better or not. 

I hate to see you start over.  It is frustrating and lots of work.  I see Ayre, Luxman, Accuphase and Sugden as solid state alternatives.  Based on reviews even expensive SS amps can sound too dry and clinical if you're not careful.  These alternatives I have listed would be Class A with a warmer presentation.    You do not need a big amp to drive these speakers.  The 30.8 actually puts out well over 100 watts and will break your eardrums before you break the speakers.  LOL


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