Pass/musical fidelity for focal scala

One of my Pass amps burst into flames the first time I plugged it in. Great sounding amp though. Pass has a reputation for building very reliable products. The vast majority of them don't catch fire.

"07-11-14: Abucktwoeighty
I find all purchases are exciting, even with experience."

Of course they are. I was just saying that it takes most beginners some time before they see how important sources and preamps are. Personally, I feel that the preamp is the most important and hardest component to get right. If you mess up and get the wrong one, the system will never sound right.

Didi1606,

Do you live near an Ayre dealer? I think it would be well worth your time to demo some of their products if at all possible. My favorite SS company.

Thx zd542 for ur exp sharing.. Nope, nowhere near my place... How about the heat?? Mf/pass.. Is it really hot so i cannot touch with the bare hand?

Just put my hand on my Pass INT-30A, which had been playing at reasonably loud volumes for an hour. Warmest part of casework warm, but I could leave my hand on it for a minute without discomfort. I have heard that class A will affect your electric bill, but I didn't compare b/f and after.

A blown fuse, for which I don't blame the amp for, has been my only issue in 3 years. I think the amp sounds lovely.

Are the Scalas rated at 92b? I think it is worth asking how much power you need, and I doubt the 30 series Pass will be enough. Mine did not work optimally with 92b Montanas, and fits better with a higher efficiency design.

If you do not have a dealer in your area, Mark at Reno HiFi is the man for Pass, and I highly recommend giving him a call.

J

Thx jdoris.. Btw, is there any chance that a new beginner like me can hear the difference between class A or a/b one.. Regarding the heat, is it safe to use the Class A all day long? My city here don't have any audio specialty brand.. So i must prepare the time and narrow the list..

You can read that your insight in audio is very limited. I will tell you one thing. In the 16 years I am in this business the most common mistake is that people spend a lot of money on speakers and not enough to amps. sources and cables. Often people get 30-40% out of their speakers max.

You make the same mistake. It is not that unique. You need to understand first of all the properties of the focals. They are able to give a wide and deep stage. They use great crossovers. But they need room to breath. And room to get the low freq. tight and controlled.

The Oppo is a great player, but there is a big but. They are not stunning in giving timbre in the mid freq.

When you go to these speakers these kind of details are needed for the level this speaker is capable of.

I owned and sold the best MF gear. I even gave MF demos at audio shows. They make great stuff. But in the world of Highend they miss the last needed details. They are not the best in depth either.

I also think the 350.8 will be a great combi with the Scala.

But.......don't forget you need a stunning source, stunning cables as well to get a good result out of the Scala's. these cost a lot of money as well.

You Always will listen to all parts togheter including the acoustics. At the end audio is about making the right combination. I call it the art of sound.

You will get the best endresult when you understand all the properties of each individual tool.