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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
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 

@Peterayer

Did you give serious break-in time to the XA-160.8s on trial? I haven’t compared mine to .5s, but after a rather long break-in and some substitutions of PCs and platforms, I find the XA-160.8s excellent in all respects: extended and linear across FR, ample width and depth, accurate pitch and timbre, and most of all, vanishingly low distortion and black background that in some systems might be confused with a loss of airiness. Not mechanical or artificial at all.

+1 EBM, but consider as well that Pass keeps both .5 and .8 series in their catalog.

jl35
4,025 posts
 
I don't see the .5 on Pass website, only Xs and .8 amps

jl35
4,025 posts
 
In my system, all listeners preferred X250.8 to X250.5,  same in friends system when he upgraded
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 

@jl35 

Indeed. They showed both series for awhile on the web site, but no more. 

cdk84's avatar
cdk84
70 posts
 
Having heard a variety of Pass equipment, I would heartily and in fact, strongly agree with Georgelofi, Ozzy, Marco1 and l35: you have to hear ANY component in your own system, and in your own listening room.

I happened to hear the .5 and .8 comparison in the above-mentioned system. The amps were compared fairly, each given time to reach optimum operating temperature and the comparison was A-B-A, which I feel is a smart, fair / intelligent way to listen for a comparison. It takes longer but is both more informative and gives each component a chance to show its strengths, relative to the other item in the comparison.

Components can, in my estimation, only show their true character when placed in a room that has been carefully and fully treated for its inherent sonic signature. So turning to Marc at Reno HiFi is a wise choice. He is Great at helping you find what makes your heart sing --after you get your system to 'sing the room' his advice will give you even more satisfaction.

Best of Luck --and Patience. In my opinion they will both pay off.
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