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Swapping W4S to Pass Labs XA- worth it?

I currently own Wyred4Sound ST500 MkII powering my Golden Ear Triton 1s. 
Before it was Krell 400xi - and def felt W4S sounded much better -cleaner and (surprise) warmer. I am using it in HT setup or in separate "analog" path.
But upgrade bug is strong ))) and I read somewhere that GE uses Pass Labs XA in all demos.
I wonder if it worth to upgrade and will I felt improvements. Speakers are 92 db sensitivity, and low bass is powered.
Have anyone compared W4S mk II and Pass Labs XA 30.5 or 30.8 (I cannot afford more powerful Pass amps)?
mikhaelkuz
mikey8811
259 posts
 
It's a no brainer.

If they can drive your speakers, I would go with the Class A Pass Labs. I think the 0.8 series have higher input impedances.
mikhaelkuz OP
56 posts
 
Just checked - output impedance of my CD player/preamp is 300 Ohm, so in theory 30K input results in 100 ratio, which should be OK, I hope. 
Wonder if anyone drove Triton One with XA30.5 (30.8)?
jaybe
823 posts
 
I've successfully used an XA30.5 with 85db speakers.

I'd have trouble thinking of any Pass and any W4S product even remotely in the same league.
Post removed 
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,356 posts
 
Tell us what the Pass would have to do that your current amp doesn't do that to you would make it worth the change?  I imagine they will sound slightly different, but without knowing you goals, or even the rest of your system, it's hard for anyone to say whether changing will be a good decision.

It really appears strange that you seem to want to run the Pass amp in A/B mode.
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