2. amps-preamps
  3. 164376-156954

Disappointment with Pass Labs - I'm looking for something else

Hello, I am new to this forum and my mother tongue is not English, so please forgive me if I make mistakes as I use a translator.

I recently bought an XA30.8 and an XP12. I was very happy but as time went by I began to not feel comfortable with the sound.
After doing many tests, I find that the XA30.8 sounds very very sweet but actually too much. I find it to be a loosely defined amp, somewhat muddy and lacks a lot of air and grip. The soundstage is very closed.

The XP-12 is the worst of the two. It is a previous that removes a lot of resolution and information, without transient attacks and sunken mid frequencies. Instead it brings warmth.

Has anyone of you found the same?

If you ask me, I have a Klipsch Cornwall and a dCS BArtok.

Now I want a capable amp, forceful, something warm, decisive, airy and with a great soundstage.

At first I thought of changing my XA30.8 for X250.8, and changing the XP-12 for a second-hand Audio Research Ref5. I am afraid of this change and continue with Pass, since I can go back to the same thing a bit.

On the other hand I have thought of going for a Luxman 900 combo, since it has very good reviews and from what I have read it could be the winning ticket.
opm
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,499 posts
 
A few options...Check out the Art Audio Opus 4.  Tom designs all of his amps to work with horns as the core offerings are 300Bs and he is highly conscientious in terms of noise.  The Opus 4 is a KT88 based unit and his gear will compare with Jadis.  Would be brilliant with a DM VPS preamp.  

For Class A, check out Sugden.  Not huge power but very good sound and you don't need huge power.  Only issue is that it is also Class A and may be more of the same. 

AVM...the SA6.2 and PA5.2 would be a good match. the PA5.2 has a tube input stage and offers a little bit of sweetness while the SA6.3 is a warm class AB and will give you plenty of slam and refined bass without being bright.  


elevick
2,636 posts
 
I used tubes, pass, threshold, mac and more with my cornwalls and just never was totally content.  Swapped out the klipsch for Coincident and have been delighted since.  Kkipsch can be awesome but not all of the time for everything.
canthinkofanything
6 posts
 
Have you tried removing the preamp and driving the power amp direct from the Bartok?
opm OP
40 posts
 
Yes. in fact it is how I currently have it. more resolution, more dynamic, more clarity but less warmth and depth
big_greg
6,630 posts
 
I'd get rid of the Klipsch speakers before I'd get rid of the Pass gear.  And I like and own Klipsch speakers.
More to discover