Mcintosh 452 vs Pass Labs XA 30.5
My finial thought on this Pass labs vs McIntosh debate.Pass Labs has a transferrable warranty ,McIntosh does not,none.So if you buy a 2 year old Pass amp used you have 1 year of warranty on it.You buy a 2 week old used Mac amp you have squat warranty.Big deal to me.Also if you buy Mac gear new from authorized dealer over the phone and have it shipped ,you have zero warranty,it happened to me. |
one thing about pass that makes it a pleasure to own is their phenomenal customer service. i own a mac c2300 pre and the pass x250.5. So i call both companies every once in a while. Pass treats me like a prospective customer every single time. Mac guys do answer the question - but they do come across as being rushed. Nothing wrong - just pointing. So one might ask "so what". I bought my x250.5 fearing that the x30.5 or 60.5 wouldnt be able to drive my speaker. the 250.5 was so revealing with layers - that i was happy listening at twice lower listening level compared to before. I can totally see what bo1972 says about layering. Essentially since my listening volume has come down - i am always operating in class A. i never thought i'd be happy with 15W (thats when the 250.5 leaves class A). btw - i totally love the c2300 - especially the phono stage. it comes alive with a pair of teles. I have listened to the 402 and the 452 and they tend to fill the room with warmth and there was a time when i liked it. For now - i guess i am happier with the pass - until the next stop! |
Totem Mani2 speakers are actually not an easy loadNot correct. They are an easy load, they are just not efficient 80.7db, which means they need watts rather current when played loud. https://www.stereophile.com/images/archivesart/Mani2fig1.jpg " I calculated the Mani-2's B-weighted sensitivity as a very low 80.7dB/2.83V/m. No wonder it didn't go very loud with the low-powered 15W Cary Cary CAD-300SEI amplifier, as delightful as the sound was." Cheers George |
Let me address my customer service experience quickly.I had an issue with a new Pass amp.Nelson called me personally,worked on my amp personally,took it home and listened to it an entire weekend before sending it back..McIntosh refused my warranty card when I sent it in because even though i had no dealer within 100s of miles,I purchased from an authorized dealer an amp over the phone and had it shipped.Mcintosh will not recognize warranty unless you go directly to the store.On the phone they are the worst company i have ever dealt with.Rude is being generous. One would think after dropping $4500 you would get some type respect from a service rep.I would rather go without a stereo before ever buying anything from McIntosh....having said that Mcintosh imo is slow,colored,bass tubby in comparision to Pass. Mcintosh is like taling a knife to a gun fight |
