2. amps-preamps
  3. 143857-86712

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

pianosteve22
pianosteve22's avatar
pianosteve22 OP
15 posts
 
Thank you very much - just want to be sure its a match with my pre-amp (ARC 25 Mk II). I think it's a bit problematic that I have no way of hearing the amp in my system before shelling out wither $6K for used amp or $8.5K for a new one.

Steve
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Jump on the PASS 250.8 asap!!
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,929 posts
 
Browdt, really the best in that price class? What a ridiculous statement.

Pass Labs are very good amplifiers, if you check the thread on Coda amplifiers, the new Coda 8 Series Stereo was compared to a pair of $14k Pass Labs Mono blocks and found to be in the same class, actually I think TJ liked the Coda better, a brand new Coda  Series 8 is $6,500 and is 150 watts but can be biased  lower and the power will increase to 400watts but with less power in Class A. The  Point 8 is based on the same amplifier stage in the Coda Csib amplfier and both amplfiers use a 3k transformer so you have a lot of juice on tap.

Then there are amplifiers from Ayre, Hegel, Krell, Levinson, Sim Audio, Anthem and about a zillion more.

What matters is system synergy, last time I heard a pair of 10T they sounded a bit on the dark side, sold them at Sound by Singer in NYC, if the new amp is a bit too warm vs the ARC, then the OP might have a system which is a step backwards in overall sound quality.

Pass Labs amplifiers are very fine amplifiers but they do have a distinct tonal balance and what works in EBM’s system or Bronwdt’s might not work the same way with the OP’s.

We sell many different brands of amplifiers and they all sound different and work better or worse with certain pairings.

The 400 watt Anthem STR is a fantastic amplifier for the money and the OP can get it brand new for less money than a used Pass, if you don't think the STR is a world class amp read the reviews on it. 

We are waiting for our Coda Series 8 and we will compare it with the brand new Krell 300XD which we just put out and the Krell is really spectatcular sounding by the way!

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Parasound, Krell, Electrocompaniet, T+A, Anthem dealers
adg101
1,063 posts
 
pianosteve22, Your ARC LS 25MK II will work just fine with probably any of the amps mentioned above. I had a LS 25MK II at home I as demoing and used it on several amps including my Pass. 
More to discover