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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
redwoodaudio
413 posts
 
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.
If this is your experience with the pass xa30.8, you either got a bad sample of the amp or it’s your speakers.  My pass xa30.8 into harbeth 30.2s is the exact opposite of what you describe.  Pinpoint imaging, precision, tight bass, glorious soundstage.  Damping factor is healthy 150 I believe.
I’m going with a push pull tube amp next, but not because of any real deficiencies with the pass. Just looking for a different sound.  

cakyol's avatar
cakyol
940 posts
 
I am surprised.

You will be really hard pressed to find anything better than the Pass Labs (maybe I am biased, I listened to many, Pass just not only killed them, it demolished them).

But then again, I guess it is your money.  Audition before you buy.

geof3
1,129 posts
 
I agree with some of the above, the problem isn’t Pass, it’s the synergy with the rest of your gear. Several reviews mention though the XA30.8 to be similar to your description, and in head to head reviews, the XA25 wins in most areas. It also hits way above its rated output. Having said that, Pass amps do have a character all their own, the .5’s the .8s and now the XA25 all have their own characteristics. Here is an excellent paper on where Nelson is leaning these days... the XA25 is mentioned.

https://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/art_the_square_law.pdf
tswisla
176 posts
 
The 30.8 is NOT a 30 watt amp.  It is 30 watts of class A, but goes well beyond 30 watts.  It has lots of headroom.  If you are lacking definition and if it sounds muddy, I would say the speakers are what is causing your issue, not the Pass.
divertiti
225 posts
 
OP you're not alone in your findings, the longest running thread on here by a member that buys and tests some of the world's best gear said the Pass preamp was the worst he has had in his system.
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