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Pass XA 25 or Bryston 3B3?

Both available lightly used for about $3700.  For use with Classe DR 5 preamplifier and Joseph Audio Pulsars in a medium sized room (13' by 16").

Any opinions or experience?
bobbydd
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mesch
3,523 posts
 
The Pulsars have been measured at 83dB sensitivity. See Stereophile review. I am interested in the Pass XA-25 as am amp to drive my Tannoy Sterlings.  I am currently using a BEL 1001 MK5 (50wpc). Almost purchased a used pair of Pulsars for my 12.5 x 14.5' room however did not due to the low sensitivity. Pulsars are an easy load impedance wise however. I think of them needing watts more than current. 
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nekoaudio's avatar
nekoaudio
489 posts
 
The Adcom is the weak link in the system, results in some unnatural brightness and hardness to the sound. Also less dimensional.
@bobbydd I think both the Bryston 3B3 and Pass XA25 will help with that, with the Pass maybe being too much of a change.

That being said, I agree with the other posters that having only 25W/ch versus 200W/ch is a big difference and would lean me towards the Bryston unless you are absolutely sure 25W/ch is sufficient headroom.
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