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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.
chenglo1
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,499 posts
 

I actually had a X350.8 with my X350.5 Amp together at the same time in my home. It was great to demo the X350.8 in which I was considering trading for and purchasing. The X350.8 was provided courtesy of Reno HIFI.

To me, and my system, the X350.5 was far superior in openness and soundstage. The .8 version was very dark sounding. Now this was when the .8 series just came out. I returned the .8 back to Reno. Soon after that, Pass stopped advertising the X350.8 in there line up. I think they also thought something was wrong.

It appears that they have since fixed what ever was wrong and now many report the X350.8 to be the better unit.

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
chenglo1
Good choice. Here is a group review of the .5 vs .8 looks like they just preferred the .5

A group of us compared the XA100.5 vs XA100.8 at a friends place. ARC REF5SE preamp. Sonus Faber Stradivari speakers. WW Platinum Eclipse speaker cables and IC's. Source was a Meitner MA-1.

The .5's were the unanimous winner....but the .8's definitely had some positives.

The .5's sounded fuller, with a greater sense of tonality richness....definitely more tube like if you will.

The .8's had tighter bass, but more bass, which ultimately created problems in his room. The .8's had a greater sense of speed and dynamic punch. I personally felt like they sounded more like a traditional Class A/B amp....but with some nice goodies thrown in.

It definitely was closer than you would think. But, at the end of the day, with his associated gear and room, we felt the .5's edged out the .8's.
Cheers George
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Pass 350.8 has better imaging,better bass detail and more dynamics than 350.5  thats just what i hear. Enjoy!!
wagnerrc
5 posts
 
Pass labs and Reno hi FI customer service is second to none. Congratulations on your purchase. 

peterayer
1,382 posts
 
I directly compared my XA160.5 to a pair of XA160.8 in my system.   I preferred the .5.  It was more natural sounding in my system, more believable with a better sense of presence.  The .8 sounded slightly mechanical, artificial and somewhat flat.  They emphasize the leading edge while the .5 emphasize the decay.  The XS combine the best of both, IMO.  I'm sure it is very system dependent.
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