2. amps-preamps
  3. 142521-21

Pass Labs - 350.8 stereo vs. 260.8 monos

I have never owned Pass labs amps. However, someone as successful at designing/manufacturing Class A and AB amplification over the long haul as Nelson Pass has to be close to perfecting their craft. I prefer mono amps for the usual reasons but am not against a great-sounding stereo amp. I currently own big Class A mono amps as well as a Class AB stereo amp and based on my listening experience I believe there are sonic trade-offs that make both Class A and Class AB amplification attractive for different reasons.

I am curious about the sonic differences between the Pass X350.8 and X260.8 monos. I noticed with the exception of the obvious power differences, the two amplifiers (and all the amps in the P8 line) have similar specifications. A couple of differences in specifications that stand out to me between the 350.8 and the 260.8s are maximum current (35A vs. 28A) and the wattage at which the amplifiers leave Class A and transition to Class AB (18wpc for the 350.8 and 34wpc for the 260.8s). In this area, the big X600.8 monos seem to be the best of both worlds as they do not leave Class A until 100wpc! I just don’t need that much power.

Although I found a review of the X250.8 stereo amplifier, I cannot find anything on the X260.8 monos so I am hoping some of you have auditioned or own the 260.8s and/or 350.8 and can share your impressions and maybe comparisons to the P5 line or comparable amps by other manufacturers. Thanks for any insights.
mitch2
karmapolice's avatar
karmapolice
256 posts
 
I am auditioning the pass labs xp-22 and xp-12 to hear what an all pass system sounds like......I like the xp-12 but the xp-22 is easily better.....there must be a better combo out there than the xp-22 and 260.8 but not sure can be had without spending more perhaps much more......this just sounds so right....radiohead sarah vaughan david bowie john coltrane miles davis all sounding glorious on vinyl.....
jl35
3,977 posts
 
It’s a great combo
denon1
341 posts
 
karmapolice, can you please describe what differences you hear between xp-12 and xp-22? Is xp-22 in a different league in compare with xp-12 when  paired with 260.8? I am considering pass 260.8  but not sure if I want to have 2 pieces xp-22.
karmapolice's avatar
karmapolice
256 posts
 
If you never hear the xp22 you will be very happy with the xp12....however the xp22 just sounds a little better in every way .....imagine a good pair of shoes versus your most comfortable.....

I didnt want a two box preamp....I wanted a one box preamp with phono built in but cannot deny I now finally love the harbeth 40.2 ....
mitch2 OP
3,962 posts
 
@karmapolice  
"As for its musicality that is the most subjective aspect of the audition and am trying various preamplifiers to determine if it has that specialness for my room......so far looks like a keeper.."
Have you yet resolved your question about the musicality and "specialness" of the 260.8s?  I am a little concerned with the comment by @rsf507  
"I've heard several Pass amps over the years, great build quality but each time they never moved me. It's like there was no soul to the music."
I have owned Class A, AB, and D that all sounded pretty good.  Currently I have a pair of high-powered Class A amps that do most things very good but I am interested in a slightly different sound.
The amps must have;
-power - at least 250/500 wpc into 8/4 ohms
-dense, rich tonality
-dimensionality - particularly in the midrange (Class D fails this one)
-deep, powerful, well-defined but not overly damped bass
-realistically extended high frequencies (not overly feathery or unnaturally extended or emphasized)
-fluid - cannot have a hint of an electronic or hard sound (Classes A and D have done a better job of this than Class AB in my experience)
-sense of "aliveness" particularly on music that is recorded to sound exciting - Class AB does a pretty good job here IME (the Class D amp I owned with stock NC1200 boards fell short here)



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