Pass X 250 vs. Classe CA 301 The final decision

Demo, demo, demo. Did I mention demo?

Reviews cannot be trusted.

KF

Gee, if we only could demo everything. Jrud, did you digest the nine reviews each at audioreview for the Classe 301 and Pass 350? They are very instructional. All the Classe reviews, both negative and positive, are perfunctory at best, while all the Pass owners wax eloquently over their amp.

I am prejudiced, like all the other Pass Labs amp owners. I loved all aspects of my X-150 so much that I went out, and without flinching, shelled out the bucks for the X-600 to power my new speakers.

There is a technically compelling reason to believe in the superiority of Pass. I have a good friend who builds great amps. He studiously follows all fellow amp design accomplishments. According to him, the Pass X and XA circuits are ahead of all the competition. With some research, this becomes obvious to all but the most entrenched.

To make it simple as I can, what Nelson Pass did was to create an amp using no general feedback, while diminishing distortion a hundred fold. Because the signal is unfettered by nary as much as one capacitor nor resistor, full dynamic range is preserved, and that makes this amp BIG. The free signal also amplifies every facet and every nuance.

It's one great looking amp too.

Oops, its the 250 you are looking at. No matter, all the X amps enjoy much the same circuitry.

I have heard both but own neither. I prefered the pas to the classe. However, as others have mentioned you should try and demo them in your system if possible. I believe there are probably a couple of dealers here on the gon that will let you have an in home trial.

Chuck

Hi Jrud, I do not mean any disrespect to anyone who think these two amps are not worthy in a high resolution system. They both do things very well. Both are transparent, clean, grainless and offer enough power for most speakers. IMO, they both fail in one very vital area. Neither can reproduce the small dynamic contrast that makes music involveing or will keep the toes tapping, the hand slapping the knee, or a feeling of bordeom that creeps in after a short period of time. Could be from so many years of using tube amps. I had a Pass x350 loaned to me for two weeks. I could tolerate for about 45 minutes before i quit listening and started thinking of things other than music. Classe sounded different but left me thinking of other things than the music. Both amps had this in common.
Tok20000's advice is the best advice anyone can give you.
I hope you find what fills your needs. Ya got a lot of options. Take advantage of them. I wish you the best in your search.

Brulee, and your alternative? Meaning no disrespect to the afore(not)mentioned ?amp?, it does not follow reason that the Pass, which dominates in dynamic range and instantaneous quickness, cannot handle minute bursts as well. Because you haven't heard it, doesn't mean it isn't in the offering. Just remember, more than an amp, it is the speaker that takes you there.