I'm very curious if anyone as listened to or had the chance to AB test these two amps together? I currently own the LTA ZOTL 10 MK II and absolutely love it for a multitude of reasons. I'm in the market for a new amp because 10 watts isn't quite enough power to drive my 88db SALK HT2's. I'm almost ready to spring for a Ultralinear but am very curious about the Pass XA25.
I just did an extensive AB with my LTA ultralinear
my buddies and I generally preferred the xa25 mostly due to increased bass extension. both are amazing and have a very different signature. The LTA has this crisp detailed image while the Pass is more relaxed and warm sounding. I know, it should be the other way around with tubes but that is not what we all heard. My favorite analogy: The pass labs is a well colored in shrinky dink, done very well. the LTA is what it looks like after being nuked. more detail but smaller.... make any sense??? The pass sounds bigger and warmer..... LTA tight detailed, pin point image.
@knik Very interesting. I did notice when I upgraded to the D7s that the midrange, especially vocals, were more forward and in your face. I’m not sure I want it to be any more forward. I’m in a pretty small room (12x13 ft) so maybe the XA25 will not suit my tastes in my room. I’m not really looking for more detail, or resolution. My musical fidelity (KW-500) integrated is providing plenty of that. I want to add touch of richness and maybe a smoother/creamier top end.
The Rogue ST-100 or Pass XA30.8 might just be a better fit for me.
@shahram In my system and room, driven by the matching Rogue RP-5 preamp, the Rogue ST-100 has better soundstage depth. The XA-25 is comparatively slightly more forward sounding in the midrange and guitars, horns and percussion have better presense. Through the Spendors, the top end is very smooth through both amps but the Pass has much better resolution of details. I can more easily differentiate between different cymbals and how then drummer is striking them through the Pass XA25
I mainly listen to jazz and rock and listen at about the same levels as you mentioned (80db avg). The XA-25 can easily push the Spendors to lounder levels but then it gets too loud for my space. I also like that the amp is smaller and lighter than the Rogue ST-100. It also doesn't get any warmer than the Rogue.
I have owned both the XA-25 and 30.8. I much preferred the 30.8. I did not like the XA-25 and found it fatiguing to listen to for any extended time period even with a tube preamp. My speakers were the Sonus Faber Elipsa SE's. YMMV
@knik Thanks for the feedback as well. Very interesting because I was considering the Rogue ST-100 as well. And Primaluna EVO 400 for that matter. What would you say the Rogue does better than the Pass XA-25? Maybe the top end?
What type of music do you mostly listen to, and at what levels?
i have D9s in an almost similar size room driven by a big Pass 250.8 (purchased for my previous less efficient speakers) and love the sound but have been tempted to get something smaller. I listen to mostly folk and rock at avg 80 dbC and the Pass bias needle has never moved. I was wondering about a 30.8 and had never considered the XA-25. I do use a balanced dac and preamp though so going single ended would be a pain for me. That sounds like any interesting pair though and makes me think I can likely get away with much less power since the Spendors are efficient and very easy to drive.
I bought a Pass XA-25 a couple of weeks ago to drive Spendor D9s. The Pass replaces a 100W Rogue ST-100, and in my system it bests the Rogue in almost all aspects. It is much more transparent and dynamic and has no problems driving the Spendor D9s. My room is 13 x 19 with vaulted ceilings.
@shahram Absolutely. My room is on the smaller side at 14x20. I’ve had the xa25 for around 6 months now and have put hundreds of hours on it. Still driving my Salk HT2-TL speakers with the Gungnir Multibit and Don Sachs Preamp. I can say it has more than enough power for my 88db Salks and never seems to loose the incredible dynamics the Pass has to offer, even at higher volumes. The power of the Pass bellies it’s on paper specs by a long shot. Don’t quote me on this but it seems to have more like 100wpc. This all being said, I haven’t heard the Spendor D7’s. I hear the Pass xa25 and Harbeth Super HL5 plus speakers is a wonderful combo and those are low at 86db. The pass seems to have quite the headroom.
Any more updates on the XA25 Pairing with your salk speakers? Can you also comment on the size of your room?
I’m considering the XA25 with 90db efficiency Spendor D7s, which are 8ohm nominal but dip to 4ohm in the bass regions. Wondering if the XA25 will have enough juice.
I've got both right now driving a pair of Tannoy Eaton's (89/8). LTA reference pre in front w/ a Rockna Wavedream DAC.
Can't go wrong with either. I personally prefer the XA25. More detail, faster, more spacious, dense images. Extremely transparent.
The UL has a boogie factor that is incredible. Really captures the emotion/feel/touch of a player well - especially during a solo. UL also has a little sprinkle of inner tube glow which is great.
The XA25 arrived this afternoon and my very early impressions before breaking it in are that it sounds very detailed, sweet and MUCH more dynamic. I assume this is because of the fact that the ZOTL 10 was struggling a bit with the Salk’s 88db efficiency. I’m very psyched so far. I assume the soundstage will open more as it breaks in but it already sounds layered and wide. More to come when I listen in depth over the next days. Stay tuned.
That's an excellent decision! There's simply no better way to judge an audio product than to hear it in your own audio system. Granted, easier said than done sometimes. I look forward to your listening impressions.
I own both LTA amps. The ZOTL40 Ref with the latest upgrades is every bit as good as the Ultralinear. Both are incredible amps. Also, the ZOTL40 is great if you like to tube roll. I have not heard the Pass XA25 but I would love to.
Al clearly made a very sound case for why the Pass XA could be a successful pairing with your Salk speakers and I suspect this would be a terrific sounding match with no concerns about power and current.
It is quite apparent however that you are highly impressed with thpe sound quality of the LTA amplifier. As was suggested above the ZOTL 40 REF may be the better LTA option for your specific speaker. A direct comparison of the XA25 vs ZOTL 40 in your system would be an ideal circumstance.
My belief is that both of these amps will sound quite good but with very distinct sonic signatures.
I am also addicted to the LTA sound. That zotl40 has got to be incredible.
Agreed. I’ve had other amps in my system like a Rega integrated and PS audio M700 monos and nothing comes close to the clarity and detail and vivid tone of the LTA.
Thank you very much! I‘m gonna do more research. The Pass is intriguing but it’s not as easily available to audition since their return policy isn’t as good as LTA. I have heard great things but at this point I’m totally addicted to the LTA’s sound. Might take your advice and go with the ZOTL40 ref.
As an extremely happy owner of the Ultralinear LTA I’d say Pass. The LTA UL was designed specifically to work magic with high efficiency designs like Al’s Ulysses and my Apollo’s. With speakers of this type it is off the charts. But matching amp and speaker are crucial so you would be ignoring this truth with the UL. I’d either go with the Pass or consider the LTA ZOTL 40 Reference, which I understand from Mark Schneider at LTA is now very close to the UL but made for less efficient designs. Maybe try both and see which you prefer. LTA has a very generous return policy.
Thanks so much Al. Those Daedalus speakers you have are pretty incredible. The ZOTL 10 that I currently have plays incredibly well at reasonable to low listening levels, it’s the best amp by far that I’ve ever heard on the Salks. I’m hoping that 3db 10watts extra of headroom with the ultralinear is enough to give it that little bit extra. But you’re right in that I should probably call Jim to make sure. LTA specifies that 88db is the limit for critical listening and low volume level listening is 85db.
To add to Wlutke’s comments I would definitely not proceed with the LTA Ultralinear before asking Mr. Salk about the suitability of using an amplifier having a 1.6 ohm output impedance with your particular speakers. My strong suspicion is that the result would be weakness in the bass and mid-bass regions, as a result of the interaction of that output impedance with the speaker’s impedance variations over the frequency range. Especially if the impedance curve of the HT2 is generally similar to that of the HT2-TL, as shown near the middle of this page.
Also, keep in mind that 20 watts is only 3 db more than the 10 watts you are presently finding to be insufficient.
Also, as is the case for most such specs I suspect that the speaker’s 88 db rating is based on an input of 2.83 volts. For the speaker’s 6 ohm specified nominal impedance that corresponds to 86.7 db/1 watt/1 meter. For the 4 ohm impedance the speaker probably has in much of the bass and mid-bass regions, where lots of energy is typically required, it corresponds to only 85 db/1 watt/1 meter. For most listeners 20 watts won’t be sufficient with speakers having such low efficiencies.
Finally, it’s a bit disconcerting that the LTA amp does not have a specified power rating for a 4 ohm load.
BTW, FWIW I’m a very happy user of an XA-25. My speakers are Daedalus Ulysses, which have an extremely flat impedance curve, a 6 ohm nominal impedance, and a specified sensitivity of 97.5 db. I listen primarily to classical music.
I have the Xa-25 so have researched the threads regarding that. If your primary music is rock, consensus is go Xa-25. As far as power goes, your 4 Ohm designed speakers with the Xa's output of 50 Watts class A at 4 Ohms might be a better match. Room, music and playback volume etc. aside.
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
