Int60 with Daedalus audio Apollo V2 speakers. Amp @ 96db sensitivity, and never leaves class A.
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@jaymark, doing something similar this weekend. KT120 mono tube amps rotated out (a rest) for my now upgraded Pass/Forte Class A 50w solid state amp. Was 200w Class AB, now full Class A 50w operation with several upgrades, main power caps, rectifiers, Cardas binding posts, wiring, many spades eliminated, all direct solder now. Whew. Like you, using my upgraded Cary 6SN7 triode tube preamp to drive these amps. Speakers are scratch custom design by me, yet realizing once again a nicely upgraded amp helps bring out the best in speakers. Everything matters at every layer. :) |
PassLabs X150.5 rotating in rotation Don Sachs tube amp running in triode; . Listening to my system so much that I have to slide a solid state amp or two in the rotation to save my tubes. I have Spatial X5 speakers. Interesting they do better with my modded PassLabs X150.5 than the excellent Coda 16 amp. I am running a modded Supratek 6SN7 preamp with Zavfino RCA interconnects and Grover Huffman Pharoah speaker cables. |
XP-27 to a XP-32 to a X250.8 into a pair of Martin Logan 13s with 2 Martin Logan 210 subs. The room is big and the sound is "bigger"! My first exposure to Nelson Pass gear was the Adcoms he designed 20 years ago. Been a huge fan ever since. The ML13's seem to really pull out all the detail of the amp. |
this thread cracks me up, guess we are bored sitting around for the holidays between meals, nothing better to do 😂 fact is, pass makes amps that span all practical loudspeaker power envelopes, and on top of that, they are over engineered and deliver ample current to drive hard-to-drive speakers when called for so just about any and all serious speakers can be driven by pass labs amps - as a result i guess this thread as it continues becomes a random listing of any and all decent high end hifi speakers in existence so hey folks, what amplifiers do you use with audioquest interconnects? merry christmas to all 🌲 |
Pass XA-25 Revel M126be/ ATC SCM 19v2/ Gallo Reference Strata 2 Triad Silver sub woofer & Gallo TR 3d Anthem STR OPPO 205 Modwright Gem Dandy Poly Table-Hana ML lo-Sutherland 20/20 Furman IT 1220 balanced power Diffusers & Absorption The Office system.....great fun... I would describe the XA-25 sound as lush/warm/detailed..... a keeper for sure.. |
@docfletch I was thinking about the 60.8s this week. If for some reason I change my amp, that’s what I am going to go with. I worry a little that my amp is a lot for my space. I wrote pass labs and they said I should be good. I figured if anything I could get smaller speakers first. I suppose the real reason I went with the 250.8 was I listen to some heavier rock and I thought it would be an overall better choice. Guess we shall see. |
@andrei_nz I almost picked up a pair of the A3 lightly used at a dealer. I found an excellent deal on my Dynaudio Contour 60i that I couldn’t pass up. |
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The first Magnepans I ever heard were driven by a First Watt amp, I forget which one. The owner thought it showed that a good power supply and solid engineering provided plenty of juice if you weren’t aiming for rock concert sound levels. I took it to heart and now have a living room secondary setup of a diy First Watt M2 driving Maggie MMGWs with a little Martin Logan sub. It’s a sweet sound, but again, pretty modest sound levels and mostly acoustic music. |
I got good results with the Pass XA25 and Tekton Lore Ref BEs (about 89db free air sensitivity). Great amp but I wouldn’t recommend it for speakers any less efficient, unless one has a small near-field setup. Can’t comment on other Pass amps but it’s interesting that since I’ve listed my XA25 for sale, multiple potential buyers have told me it’s the best sounding of all Pass amplifiers.
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I have a pair of Pass XA60.8’s, and I am driving Dynaudio Confidence 20’s. Preamp is a Prima Luna EVO 400. They sound amazing! I use a Dynaudio Sub 6 as well, but I turn it off when listening to jazz/vocals. Previously I had a pair of Harbeth Monitors 40.2. They also sounded amazing, but I moved into a smaller listening room. So, I got the Confidence 20’s. Honestly, I don’t think there is a speaker out there that wouldn’t sound good with Pass Labs amps. Just match the power with the load, and you should be good to go! |
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I have a Int 250 which I used initially with Magnepan 3.7 and rel subs which sounded great. i then went to Wilson Sasha 2 which for me had a more detailed presence and better imaging. The pass has plenty of power and both speakers had/have great imaging depth and did/do a great disappearing act. I haven't had the opportunity to compare with something else in my home but i am pleased with how it sounds... You didn't give a budget but if you are looking to spend under 10k then I would go with the maggies with two subs (assuming you have the room) |
Something I often hear from my audio friends. "Any speakers sound good with your Pass". A generalization naturally but also a lot of truth. I started with the XA25 amp and then traded it for the INT25. I have used Old Tannoys FSMs and that was magical. I now use Fritz Carerra 7 BEs + REL T5i sub and those are also magic. If you will be using less sensitive speakers, have a larger room or listen at 85+dBs I would get the 250 size Pass. |
