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Pass Labs X250.8 or MC452 ?

I have Aerial 10T Speakers, Arye Evolution CD Player, Audio Research LS 25 mk ll preamp, and an Audio Research VT 200 amplifier. I also have a HK AVR and Aerial Center channel and back speakers. 

I want to change out the VT200 amp because I want to be able to play my home theater system through the front Aerials speakers without having to always swap cables (between the VT200 and and HK AVR) depending on if I'm watching TV or listening to music. With a solid state amp I can run my TV signal from the HK AVR pre-out through the SS amp w/o worrying about burning out tubes on my amp while watching TV.

I'm have heard the Pass Labs X250.8 would be a good choice, but Stereo Exchange recommended I hear the Mc452.
Any recommendations as which amp will work better with what I have ?

Thanks,
Steve

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adg101
1,063 posts
 
All depends on what you like; the MAC and Pass are worlds apart. I have not heard the Pass X250.8 but I have the .5 and I own the original X250. I’ve heard the MC 452 and agree with rsf507, it doesn’t have the PRAT of the Pass. My X250 sounds great on my Aerial 7B’s to the point I’m in no hurry to change my amp and speaker combination anytime soon, but when I do it will likely be the .8 series and 7T’s.
pianosteve22's avatar
pianosteve22 OP
15 posts
 
Yes - my Aerial 10Ts are 20 years old - after I get my new amp I will look for Aerial 7's as well.
Have you ever heard of Moon 760A amp - is that an option ?


adg101
1,063 posts
 
I’ve never had the pleasure of listening to Sim or Moon Audio but I’ve always read very positive things on their gear. If you have the Moon locally give it a try. Another amp to look at is Modwright; with your current 10T’s you’ll need more power but if you end up with the 7T’s they are a much friendlier load and you’ll be fine with less power. Your 10T’s are like my 7B’s as they need 250 watts to really sing. I’ve had 100-200 watt amps that sounded really nice at the time but it wasn’t until I installed my current amp I realized my speakers were starving.

The Pass X250.8 and Modwright KWA 150 Signature amps are on my short list. I’ll probably upgrade to the 7T’s first as I’m not sure the Modwright will drive my 7B’s to their full potential.
gphill's avatar
gphill
130 posts
 
I haven’t heard the Pass amp but my MC452 is magical with my Aerial 7t speakers.
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hk_fan
503 posts
 
I've owned 10T's for a very long time and the best match I've found for them is the Parasound JC1 mono's.

If you're totally committed to the Pass or Mac, then the choice is easy - Pass.

The JC1 is a better match than the 250.8 however.
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