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 just recently purchased a pass labs int-60 I love it works great everything but be warned they do not work well with ohm Walsh 2
The Pass is just manufacturer spec'd at 60w, but it's got good current as it can get to 200w into 2ohms, so the problem to me is not enough watts.
 As the Ohm Walsh 2 is said to be not a hard load at an average 6-4ohms.
But it's only 81db!!! efficient, you just simply clipped the rails (wattage).
From hifi classic  "We measured a sensitivity of 81 dB"  

Bet the Pass sounded good right up till the fuse popped though. I'd change the speakers.

Cheers George 

I love my Pass Labs Xa100.8 paired with Wilson Sasha.  Other combos sound different and have their strengths and weaknesses. Often been tempted to try other amps but I always prefer my own. Recently Devialet caught my attention. Tried the previous generation Devialet but did not have the weight/ slam or mid range texture of my amp/MSB DAC. 
Any thoughts on how a pair of KEF Reference 3 speakers would work with a Pass Labs 30.8 or 30.5? I would be pairing the amplifier up with a Backert Labs Rhumba 1.3 Extreme.
Coda amps are a good alternative to Pass (owned by ex-Threshold engineers). A big difference is the level of marketing.
I have owned pretty much every amp out there as a 45 year old "recovering audiophile" who has been involved in the hobby since I was 14. I am very blessed because of the publications that I own/ed that I get access to a lot of cool gear.

Pass is at the top of my list these days. Class-A ones specifically. I want solar panels before I get my next pair of mono blocks however as they draw hard from the wall. 

"Practicing audiophiles" will wince when I give you my real objection (other that I am a little house poor right now and need an entirely new kitchen at my new place) which is Pass Amps are just a LITTLE too WIDE to fit into an equipment rack and I don't put amps on the floor - ever. No cable mess either. 

With that said: they are a client and they make about the best amp I can think for the money. Don't get me wrong... I love me some Krell, D'agostino, ARC, Classe, Mark Levinson etc... I just like the tube-like sound without the tube troubles. Also pretty fair prices (retail) considering.