Until recently I owned my long term McIntosh Mc 501mono blocks paired with Sonus Faber Amati Homage Speakers and the Awesome Modwright Ls 36.5DM preamp and I thought my system was good not great, on a whim I picked up the outstanding Pass Labs XA30.5 for a second Amp well this Amp blew me away the layers of detail in my system was just outstanding and control of deep Bass was much improved over my McIntosh I was so impressed I sold my McIntosh mono blocks (something I never thought I'd do) and bought a used set of Pass Labs XA100.5 mono blocks I am still running these in (they have been sitting for a year) it's sad what I was missing, I did love my McIntosh but Pass Labs XA.5 Amplifiers are in a different league, enjoy!
Pass Labs AMP’s- What is the best Pass Amp Sound for You from past 10 years
So I have an XA-25 and its outstanding. I’ve tested the XA60.8 mono’s and there was not enough difference to move to them; no jaw dropping moments. Don’t get me wrong they were fantastic, but so is the XA25. Looking at the 350.8 or 250.8, etc.... even in comparison the Integrated INT-250... If you love it; want to explain what you like and why? I’m wondering what others are thinking...
My set up: Wilson Sophia II’s, XA-25, Pass Labs XP-22 pre, Merging+NADAC.
My set up: Wilson Sophia II’s, XA-25, Pass Labs XP-22 pre, Merging+NADAC.
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"[...Interesting the int 250 doesn't get much love here. The reviews are pretty darn good....]" ReportReport |
Great thread and views. New to (higher end) hi-fi by recently getting Sonus Faber Olympica III speakers and am now looking for a Pass Labs amplifier. Any advice on which of the Pass amps - integrated or separates, would work well with these speakers? The room is large with a high ceiling. Mostly listen to jazz, blues, classical music. Cheers. |
I have had the following Pass amps in the last few years: XA-25, XA-30.8, and INT-60. The 30.8 was best, second was the INT-60. The worst by far was the XA-25. It was impressive for great recordings when listening for shorter periods, but with less than stellar recordings or longer listening sessions, it was fatiguing. I even added a tube preamp to no avail. It perhaps was too transparent. I just did not like it much. |
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