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Fist Watt F6 vs Pass Labs XA 25

I’m thinking about an upgrade regarding my power amp which is a First Watt F6 dual mono (source: LAB 12 Dac 1 Reference, "speakers": Abyss 1266 PHI TC, preamp: Dave Slagle Autoformer).

I can’t say I wouldn’t be satisfied with this configuration but I’d like to try something even more engaging.

For the moment I’m intrigued by the XA 25 but never had the chance to give it a try in my system. 

Most of the reviews just compare the F7 to the XA 25 but I would be happy to hear experiences from users who had F6 and XA 25 side by side.

Is it worth an upgrade and which exact differences could I expect sonically?

 

barrista0611
keithr
1,306 posts
 

FW > Pass 

soix
9,456 posts
 

I’d look at the Clayton Audio S40 before the XA25.  It’s double the power into both 4 and 8 Ohms over the Pass and costs $400 less, and it probably sounds even better.  Just not as much press.  My $0.02 FWIW. 

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 

But does the Clayton slide into class A/B and then provide 80w into 8 ohms and 130 into 4?

tubebuffer
417 posts
 

What fist watt? That good with my schlockport?

soix
9,456 posts
 

But does the Clayton slide into class A/B and then provide 80w into 8 ohms and 130 into 4?

No, but at 50wpc and 100wpc into 8 and 4 Ohms, respectively, you get to stay in full Class A for all listening.  Personally, I’d have to really need those extra 30wpc to go with the Pass, but that’s me. 

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