some listeners prefer the X series to the XA you just gotta listen contact Pass, they will help you decide based on your preferences
Pass Labs amps questions
SO i started looking into Pass brand amps. My room is carpeted movie theater of rectangular shape, 18 wide x 26 ft deep. I'm currently running Audio Research 5SE into Mark Levinson 331 (100 watt RMS SS at 8ohms) then Dynaudio Confidence C4 speakers. Although I love the sound this gives me, i feel it just doesn't have enough oomph! For example, in order to sound "right" when i listen to the Eagles Hell Freezes Over DVD, volume is at level 60 on the 5SE. Im not detecting any clipping at all nor does the Levinson get too warm. I don't think its straining at all but not sure how to tell. Its old and i just want to try and get a different or maybe see if i can get a better sound. I am wondering what the audioafficianados out there would recommend or provide more info on with regards to the Pass Labs line up. I am specifically wanting a pair of Class A mono blocks. What falls in my budget is a pair of the XA200.5's on the Agon site here now VS a New/Demo X350.8 demo from Reno Hifi. Would the X350.8 hold an advantage over the 200 monos with its additional 300 watts of power (C4s are 4 ohms)? I remember needing to double the power in order to move the SPL 3 db???. If this were correct and given my room size, would this added power benefit my system? All in all would you prefer used pure class A less power or brand new class AB higher power for about the same price? I'll sit and *listen* for your knowledgeable replies. Thanks in advance.
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chenglo1, the latest 0.8 from pass are more resolving than previous 0.5 and considered by many improvement over 0.5 and they build some better. Even the new furutech binding post are something special. Also you for sure are missing what your speakers can deliver. Plus you have a great pre-amp that many people using with pass. I would work with Mark from Reno HIFI. He will be able to get exactly what you want. Try both class A and class A/AB and see what you like best in your system. Don't just settle on XA 200.5 (even so they are very good). Work with Mark on auditioning newer 0.8 series. His demo policies are terrific. Working with him you be able to get what you like best. |
I also agree on a comments about source. if you are using some cheap DVD based source like Oppo, you will not be able to hear what your system can deliver. To match your speaker and pre-amp level you will need a very good source. Esoteric cd players or DACs known to have a great synergy with pass amplification. Latest X series from esoteric are big step forward towards musicality and natural sound. |
I strongly recommend that you audition the .8 series before purchasing the .5, just because its Class A. I recently upgraded from the Int 30A, their Class A integrated, to the Int 60, their Class AB integrated. Not quite the same as what you are talking about but close enough for me to say that I think you'd be doing yourself a great disservice by not at least trying the .8, even if it is Class AB. Not quite as sweet sounding, but hands down the better amp in every other respect. Plus the C4's which I am very close to purchasing and have spent quite a bit of time auditioning really don't need as much power as people seem to think. So you might want to rethink the power issue as well. |
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