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Krell vs Levinson vs Pass vs Rowland

I know there have been many threads about these amps, however none which addresses these 4 together. I would like to spend between $3-3,500 used and I have narrowed my search to the final 4:

Levinson 334
Krell FPB 200
Rowland Model 10 ???
Pass X250

Which amp has the greatest transparency, best imaging, and will throw the deepest, widest soundstage? I know all will have sufficient bass and satisfying highs, so I am not concerned with those attributes.

I know there will be other suggestions besides these 4 amps mentioned here, but I am really concerned with narrowing these 4 down to 1 first!! Please do not respond with suggestions for other amps. Thanks for any help with this!!
platsolos
patent
16 posts
 
Pass claims their new XA line maintains the clarity of the X series without the coolness.

Pass' US patent 5,376,899 shows the balanced input in the X and XA series. My understanding of the circuit is that it requires a balanced input, or else half the output stage is essentially idling, carrying nothing but the distortion cancelling signal.

Aball, why do you say the circuit uses no feedback? It uses local feedback, but not global.
9rw's avatar
9rw
318 posts
 
Don't count on the Rowland holding its value. I had a Model 10 in like new condition a year ago and had to about give it away. The amp wasn't even a year old. It was amazing how little AudiogoN shoppers were willing to pay. Anyway, I replaced it with a Pass X-350 and haven't ever looked back. Also, don't count on great customer support from Rowland. Meanwhile, the Pass people have been exceptionally responsive.
pctower
54 posts
 
I am a long-time Rowland fanatic, currently owning the Model Twelves. I spent a long time auditioning the Model 10 and it is a wonderful amp. I think most of the advice you have gotten above in good, but I would especially single out the post by Sos as right on.
jallen
502 posts
 
One more vote for Rowland. The others are good, with the Pass being the most musical of the other three in the systems I have heard. I have a Rowland after selling my tube gear and haven't looked back. I don't think that the Rowland sounds "better" than tubes, I just find the musical presentation keeps me from missing tubes. I am happy with my system which is a hard thing in the audiophile world to accomplish. I have no plans to part with the Rowland for years. The sources are the limiting factors and will be for years. The top end of the Rowland extends like no other solid state amp/preamp I have heard. Jallen
bamafan
74 posts
 
The Pass XA amplifiers are not a viable alternative for Jadis because they will not fall in his budget. Per his post, he is looking to spend approximately $3,000 to $3,500 for an amplifier. There will be only two models of the XA series made. The XA-200 at $28,000 per pair and the XA-150 at $18,000 per pair. To go after a pair of these would really blow the budget he has set for himself.
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