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Pass XA25 for my system

I have been a long-time lurker here, but never posted until now. I have learned a lot from reading other posts and I thought it would be nice to share details on my current system. Also wondering if anyone has thoughts on switching from Hegel to a Pass XA25 amp.

Current system:

  • Room: 14x19 living room with medium(ish) damping - couch, rug, bookshelves, plants etc.; however, no dedicated room treatments.
  • Sonicorbiter i9 optical Roon server upsampling to DSD128
  • Fiber to Sonore Opicalmodule Deluxe 2 (Sonore LPS with Mundorf Silver/Gold DC cable)
  • Sablon Ethernet 2020
  • Bricasti M3 DAC and Roon endpoint running exclusively via NDSD conversion (3x Isoacoustics Orea)
  • Audioquest Fire XLR cables
  • Linear Tube Audio Microzotl Level 2 preamp with Lundahl balanced transformer input, Ray Reserve and Gold Lion tubes.
  • Iconoclast Series 2 OCC RCA cables
  • Hegel H390 Integrated (using as amp with HT bypass)
  • Audioquest Robin Hood speaker cables
  • Dynaudio Heritage Special (Dynaudio Stand 6 with Isoacoustics Gaia feet) 
  • Power: AQ Niagara 1200, AQ tornado and Cardas power cables.

My system is relatively modest, but was carefully assembled and it sounds pretty great to me. After adding the Microzotl preamp and seeing the improvement, I am thinking of replacing the Hegel (I am not using the preamp or DAC functionality) and trying a new amp. Thinking of the Pass XA25 after reading great reviews and seeing other people matching it with both my speakers and preamp. To be clear, the Hegel has been great and is a good match for my speakers. Dynamics are great, clarity, detail and a very relaxed feel to the sound. It was maybe just a touch too “clean/thin” before the LTA preamp. That move added a little more body, better imaging and soundstaging so curious to see what the Class A XA25 might do to further improve on these areas. The LTA Microzotl also helped with lower level/volume listening allowing more detail and dynamics to come through. With the Hegel volume control, I had to turn things up quite a bit to get things sounding their best. I also tried the Bricasti as a preamp and that was slightly less preferable than using either the Hegel or LTA for volume control.

I am still slightly nervous moving away from the Class A/B sound I am familiar with. Maybe it will soften things a little too much and be a step backwards? I was also considering a slightly used Class A/B Audionet Amp. I have no doubt they make excellent amps but I also couldn’t find many people using that brand and even fewer using it with my preamp and speakers. Any thoughts on whether the Pass XA25 will soften dynamics and transients significantly relative to my Hegel? I found some info. at 6Moons comparing the XA25 to Kinki Class A/B monoblocks and the comments seemed positive albeit a little mixed and unclear.

sfpeloton
zlone
706 posts
 

@fastfreight Yes, I am a converted Audionet fan now. I might go with the monos someday, but for now the Amp 1 has been great. Responding primarily to confirm your description of the Audionet sound:

The Audionet gear is lightning fast, with super transients and dynamics, yet so resolving I call it the sparkle.  They are NOT over etched or too bright.  Listening is engaging and non fatiguing.

This is so true. I refer to it as 'just right'. I hear GTT's room at Axpona this year and had similar comments. And yes, you can find a good deal on a demo Amp 1 on his site.

 

bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker
209 posts
 

@cbrez - I ended up purchasing a used Gryphon 120 which does 240 watts into 4 ohms. It was at that moment that I realized the full potential of the Dynaudio Heritage Special speakers. They are fantastic speakers and I just feel they really open up when driven with more power. 

Part of my issue might be my room, however. It's a very large room with high ceilings, so I just might need more power because of the space... 

BTW - What tubes are you using with your LTA preamp? I know LTA is offering those new "Ray's Tubes" which I've been curious about... 

@sfpeloton - I guess room size would be an important consideration. How big is your listening space? 

@zlone - I've wondered about that Audionet amp you've got now! Can you share more about your impressions of it? 

cbrez
69 posts
 

@bluethinker Definitely many factors and glad to hear you are enjoying the Gryphon. I did my tube rolling before I even heard about the “Ray’s Tubes” that LTA is using as upgrades. I bought some Telefunken ECC801s and CBS/Hytron VT-231 (6SN7) and they were a huge improvement over the stock LTA tubes. The LTA was terrific before, but next level after.

cellorover
424 posts
 

Hi. I have a Pass Xa25 and love it. It is very close to my tubes, CJ Classic 62 SE, my Heron mono blocks a d Resolution Audio mono blocks. It has a purity and ease that the others do not. My speakers, Penaudio Cenya Supreme, are 86db and 4 ohm. My old room was 15x33 and I never needed more power. I would say that the Xa 25 is an amp to keep.

 

sfpeloton OP
10 posts
 

Lot's of thoughtful comments here so thanks to all who chimed in. After reading the comments, I do think the XA25 might be a little too warm for my tastes - even though it may be less warm than some other Pass offerings. 

My room is not very large - 14x19 with pretty standard ceiling height. I really hadn't been too concerned about the XA25 power since it has high current output and is very conservatively rated 50W at 0.01% distortion. However, I do like to turn up the volume some times and I wouldn't want to miss that.

Given the power issues and possible warmth of the XA25, I am leaning towards sticking with Class AB and it sounds like Audionet is one of the best options in that area. I had indeed been eyeing the Amp 1 V2 for sale here. I noticed the input impedance is 37 kohms. I think the LTA is 50 ohms so it should be okay? Any concerns about impedance mismatching or the pairing with the LTA?

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