Pass labs x250 vs Classe CA301

Two years ago I auditioned both, upgrading from a CA150. I agree with Pehare on the X250. The CA301 sounds warmer, a bit slower and laid back; a matter of taste I guess. I prefered the Pass, but ended up with Spectral DMA-150, because of severe humming problems with the X250 (it later appeared to be a design problem which should be solved in the mean time, but beware!) -- my third choice was the Theta Dreadnought.
Don't forget to include the ARC VT100 III, the best of both worlds, a pity it has a noisy fan... Good luck!
(my system: ARC LS 2 II, Kharma Ceramique 1.1, MIT Ref and Oracle cables).

I own the Pass X-250 and have no humming issues whatsoever and I have never heard of any issue with this amp either. The commenst above are correct regrading the sound of the Classe and Pass except that I do not find the Pass analytical sounding at all. I do notice that since I have been leaving all my components on, the sound is very natural sounding, with great deatails and dynamics. I also recently changed my ICs from AZ Sil Ref rca to XLR form the Pass X-1 to the X-250 so I do not know if this made a difference. The high frequencies are much better leaving the X-250 on all of the time, I would not have thought this but someone told me to try it and it has worked for me.

Happy Listening.

From my limited experience with Pass product (ran a X-250 with X-2 pre and many other pre's) for about 5-weeks, Pass pre and power (or run seperately)are highly resolving, focused, fast, detailed and "clean" sounding whereas Classe 201/301/401 I found to be more organic in its palpability, soundstage dimensionality and sheer musicality.

peter jasz

I had a ca-201 and it was OK but I changed it for a Pass X250 due to reliability problems with the Classe components and I believe the Pass totally smokes the Classe. I would need more time and space to tell about all the reliability problems I've had with Classe gear. I've owned six or seven components by Classe from their CDP's to Preamp and Amps and had many problems with each and every piece.The Pass gear is not only better sonically but has no reliability issues that I've ever really encountered. I love my Pass gear and will never buy a piece of Classe gear again!!! The only reason I went through seven pieces is that I was stuck with each piece I traded up thinking I would not loose on trade in by sticking with the same dealer upgrade policy. I should have gotten rid of my first or maybe even second piece of Classe gear at a loss and not have had to deal with the Classe "headache" for so long. LIVE AND LEARN!!!

Same experience that I had with Classe Audio.