Pass XA 25 versus Parasound A21+ - anyone compare?


Basically I'm looking at solid state amps to run my current Totem Rainmakers - with the possibility of upgrading the speakers to Joseph Audio Pulsars (used if I can find some) as well.

My listening room is modest sized - about 18' by 13" with 8' foot ceiling.

Rest of system: Naim cd 5 player, Hana EL cartridge on a vintage Pioneer 600 table, Classe DR 5 II preamp.  Amp to be replaced is original Adcom 555.

I'm thinking both could work well, with the Parasound providing more dynamics and the Pass more finesse.  Obviously the Pass is about an extra $1000, which is a factor given the modestly priced system.  Also no balanced option with the Pass - not sure that is important.

BTW no Pass or Joseph dealer in my area (Atlanta), though Parasound is available for a listen.

Thoughts?
bobbydd
Hi bobbydd

I agree with teajay completely. I have the Pass Labs xa30.8 and it’s basically the same as the xa25 only with balanced inputs and outputs. I also had the Parasound a21 in the past and trust me, there’s no comparison. The xa25 will be so much more musical it’s not even funny. Parasound is good but the Pass amps are, in my opinion, great. That xa25 punches so far above it’s weight class it’s not even a fair fight. I found the Parasound amp to be very boring and just ok. There are some people and some reviewers out there that feel that the xa25’s midrange sounds even better than the xa30.8! I find the xa30.8 to be magical. For under $5000.00 I don’t think You could find a more musical amp. The drive capability of the Pass amps is just insane. My speakers are 83 dB efficient and the xa30.8 doesn’t even break a sweat driving them. Most importantly it always remains so musical. Nelson Pass is a genius IMO. Reliability is off the charts as well. Good luck. 

Scot
@shahram

i did sell the steteo 100 . excellent amp but there were times i wanted a little more volume. the a21+ does that very well without losing much.
the stereo100 would have been perfect with higher efficiency speakers than my 86db harbeths.  
Just received a pass XA25 and have it running for a solid 24 hrs.
I will be comparing to my Parasound a21+ that has matured well in my system for several months.
So far the XA25 sounds grainy and edgy in the upper midrange and lower treble.
The a21+ is nothing but smooth.
I will give the XA25 a few weeks, it does have its moments but compared to the buzz on this amp it is a big disappointment early on.
@avanti1960 Is the Pass brand new or did you acquire it used with hours on it? I ask because Pass recommends running in their brand new amps for about 5 days straight 24/7 as an initial break-in measure. It did make a difference back when I had a brand new XA30.8. After initial break-in they only take 30 minutes to warm up in my experience.