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
Post removed 
decooney
2,014 posts
 
@opm
"it’s the cornwall III"

+1 what @laaudionut said.

Try a completely different preamplifier with your XA30.8. Also, I learned from Nelson directly he has a number of customers running really good tube preamplifiers with his amps too. Change the input/driver tubes and you can taylor the sound a bit towards your taste. Those Cornwalls should light up pretty good.
decooney
2,014 posts
 
@opm, how open are you to demoing other preamplifiers before you mess with changing to other amps or speakers?  

I ask because there are countless references to folks changing out the XP12 for the X22/XP32 -and/or- good tube preamps with really positive results.  Each preamp in the Pass lineup having different characteristics. Paring a warm veiled over preamp with a warmish amp will do exactly what you describe. Not all pre/amps are good pairings, recheck this.  
Call Kent English at Pass if you stay with Pass on your next preamp. Ask him about other pairing options with your current XA30.8 amplifier.    

Checking with a reference this morning, noted this if you stay with Pass:
"With the 22 over the 12 you get just more of everything great. Blacker background, more details, tighter and more detailed bass, and a little larger soundstage".

Or, tube preamp:
Surf around and you will find countless references on various forums of folks pairing really good tube preamplifiers with X and XA amplifiers and super happy with the results.  Good Luck, its definitely worth a try.  
  
richdirector's avatar
richdirector
269 posts
 
I use Luxman with large tannoy ardens... Great control of massive 15 inch driver but musical from mouse level to house breaking.... 

And that's just the supposed 20w from the Luxman ax550 II..... If speakers above 93db ish then no problem 
mikem
260 posts
 
The XA30.8 is WAY more than 30 wpc output..  
I had the XA25 for about a year, what a great amp !!  The only reason I let it go, was for the First Watt SIT3. I did move up the the XP22 from the XP12, which was a nice upgrade..  what a hobby
More to discover