You've tried other amps and ended with Pass, please discuss


So I'm genuinely curious about this, and I'd like your thoughts.

You: Are a current pass owner who has tried a number of other amps and stuck with Pass.

Please discuss your speakers, your pass and what other amps you feel your current set up bested.

I won't opine, but may ask questions to those who are not specific enough.
One thing I've heard a lot is the terms "refined." I don't know what this means, so if you can compare to other amps with more detail, would appreciate that.
Thanks!

Erik
erik_squires
I’ve owned different Krell, Mark Levinson, Bel Canto, a few different tube amps (Cary, Conrad Johnson, ARC) and the search has ended with XA60.5. They do everything well
mrdecibel
Erik, please do not take offense. Knowing you do not " favor " amplifiers designed by Pass , why do you, instead, give reasons of your dissatisfaction for them
We will see where this thread goes, but, I am out.....
Yeah, here we go again mr d. Like a deer in the headlights
I saw where he was trying to make it go, with the start post, then as soon as "Class-D" was mentioned by the very 1st poster, he swooped on it like * *** ** *** ****! Yet nothing on anything/one else’s preferences.
The Hypexs worked great with the B&W 803D2’s and I enjoyed them probably more then the Pass X250 on the B&W’s.
" Thanks so much for that detailed, chronological, explanation of what you went through. In particular how you experienced the differences with the 803D2s vs. the Class D amps."

Stop looking for congratulations for going Class-D, it’ all too obvious with all the Class-D related post you start looking for positives on it, to make you feel satisfied with what you’ve got. "Just Listen" your ears should if your confident and able tell you what’s best


Cheers George
Hi @audiojan - Thanks so much.

Can you talk a little about your CJ experience relative to Pass?
Also, if anyone has experience with Ayre, D'Agostino or Luxman I'd love to hear about it relative to Pass, because unfortunately a lot of the brands being mentioned are some I haven't heard in a very long time.

Also curious if any of you have experience with old or new AR and went to Pass.
I'm not imposing any value judgements here at all, but if some one mentions Mark Levinson.... I haven't heard one in decades so I have no relative perspective.

Thank you,

Erik
Stop looking for congratulations for going Class-D, it’ all too obvious with all the Class-D related post you start looking for positives on it, to make you feel satisfied with what you’ve got.



George,

Projecting intention on some one without evidence is yet another way in which you show disrespect. Further, you should actually read what @eniac wrote. He liked some amps with some speakers, and some with others.

It turns out I’m more familiar with those two brands of speakers, and some of those amp modules than I am with other brands mentioned so that’s particularly interesting.

Lastly, George, did you miss the entire thread where I left Class D?

I’d kindly ask you to go start a "Class D ax grinding thread" somewhere else and let those who have been able to compare Pass amps with others but stayed with Pass to comment without fear of you turning this thread into a personal vendetta related to a subject which has so very little to do with the material in this thread. That would be a great show of respect and self control, and I look forward to seeing it from you.

Best,

Erik

I don't have a lengthy data set of amps to reflect on but when I replaced my Cary CAD 120-S MKII with a Pass XA30.8 I was in sonic heaven.  The XA30.8 drove my Spendor D7 speakers so much better with a deeper and more precise bass, larger depth and width of soundstage, and more detail and imaging...all without giving up the essence of the "tube sound" that I have come to enjoy over the years.  The amp was the only change I made to my system and I have kept my VAC Ren MKV preamp in place along with my Herron VTPH-2A phono stage - both of which provide tube warmth and air.  

I truly feel like I am getting the best of tubes and SS into the primarily jazz music I enjoy.  The XA30.8 Class A power is fluid in its presentation and seems to make the rest of my gear sound better by digging deeper.