2. amps-preamps
  3. 130076-3022

Best Tube Amp For Sonus Faber? Or Pass XA-100.5? $6-7,500 Budget, Purchasing Used.

As the title says, I have a pair of Sonus Faber Olympica III's that I am more than pleased with, for which I am trying to determine the best available amplifier, preferably tube. Of course, there are always budget limitations and my budget for this amp would be $6-7,500, and I would be buying used to maximize purchasing power.

Based on a lot of research, and quite a few auditions at brick and mortar stores, various home systems, Axpona, etc. I'm honestly not sure if there are any truly exceptional tube amplifiers available within that budget that meet my needs. These speakers need 100wpc tubed, or 200 wpc solid state, into 4 ohms to really open up and perform. 

If, in the end, there are no really great tubed options, I've always heard that the Pass Labs XA-100.5's were probably the optimal choice in solid state for former tube lovers. I would also appreciate any thoughts on that option from owners. 
nightfall
pani
1,219 posts
 
Sonus Faber matches very well with Goldmund amplifiers. Goldmund is fast, clean and wideband. That should give you the idea of what kind of amps to look for. Pass XA is smooth, warm and relaxed  sound. Try to hunt for any of the older model Goldmund. It is a super match.
wharfy's avatar
wharfy
322 posts
 
Enjoy your system upgrade, nightfall!
abrew19
146 posts
 

Nightfall congrats on your VAC purchase.

But going back to the Pass for a moment to humor me about my own future purchase possibilities, was the xa60.5 really not powerful enough? Is it your room size or your speaker load that simply demands more amp? Reason I ask is because I switch between my x250.5 class AB 250 wpc and the Aleph 5 class A 60wpc stereo. There is a difference in these 2 amps, but because my room size is small either one works fine in their own way, but with different characteristics and pros/cons. Just curious because I have considered trying the xa60.5 and always wondered if they would have enough oomph to totally replace my x250.5 in the slam department. The xa100.5 are an option too, but I live in Houston TX and heat is a major concern. Just going from a single box stereo amp to 2 monoblocks is concern enough for me; that’s why I eyeball the 60.5 over the 100.5 as a compromise.

bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
I owned the XA60.5, 30.5 and the 100.5 as well. The 100.5 where a lot better in all parts compared to the 60.5.

We are not talking only about more power adn control. The stage is wider and deeper. But the sound is a lot more involving and realistisc sounding.

I also was impressed about the 30.5. The 60.5 did not convince me at all for their price.
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
People often forget what diversity in sound is and what it does. In this part Pass Labs is in a league of its own.

Audio Research has more what I call a sound. This means an involving sound. With less diversity in sound in the whole frequency range.

It sounds like the low, mid and high frequency sound more the same. Diversity in sound is the most important part to feel emotion of the music.

Because the emotion is inside the music. Diversity in sound will create more layers and emotion during listening.
More to discover