2. amps-preamps
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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
avanti1960
1,476 posts
 
@bobbydd Excellent  info, thanks.  
I thought it appropriate that I continue the thread as I have lived with an a21+ for the better part of a year and now have the Pass Labs XA25 to compare.  
So far the a21+ sounds much better in my system but the XA25 has only 20 hrs or so on it- however it has a lot of work to do to stay.  

Did you have similar slight edginess when yours was new?  
voodoochillin's avatar
voodoochillin
61 posts
 
@avanti1960 
My Int-25 had some edgy treble to begin with but smoothed out considerably after a week of constant playing. Also running Harbeths.
avanti1960
1,476 posts
 
@voodoochillin    thanks, i am hopeful the same will happen or back it goes and i keep the parasound.  
bobbydd OP
97 posts
 
Honestly, I hear no edge or grain with the XA 25.  This is with the Pulsar's, which have quite a revealing but very low distortion tweeter.

I am not very familiar with the Harbeth's, but I doubt there would be any adverse interaction between those components.

Best.
ddafoe
246 posts
 
 The best experience I had with Pass was still too lean.

At least with the dot 8 series I've owned (X250.8 and now XA30.8), my experiences with Pass are the opposite to this finding.  I actually would have guessed folks who don't like the Pass sound would find them too warm, thick, lacking in resolution, slow, etc...

The 'meat on the bones' sound I hear from those two Pass amps plus the wicked 3D soundstage are the two areas that make them my favorites so far over other amps I've owned recently (Modwright, Simaudio, Bryston, Benchmark; with speakers Magico S1s and now Spendor D9s).   I owned a Parasound A23 years ago so can't really compare it...

I've never heard the XA25 though, but would love to try one with my D9s if it only provided a balanced input :)



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