2. amps-preamps
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Pass Then vs. Pass Now

Hi 'Goners. 

Long time lurker, first time poster hoping to receive some wisdom from the community. Thinking about an upgrade (aren't we all?) Currently powering Devore Gibbon 3xl with a Rogue Audio Sphinx v3 and am inclined to try out some class A solid state amplification. I was a long time happy owner of a little Adcom GFA535. (I bought it in college in '88 and just let go of it two years ago!) That got me interested in trying out another Pass design. I have been weighing a Threshold400A vs. an XA30.8

Anyone have experience with Devore Gibbons and either of those amps, or thoughts on whether the newer PASS is worth triple the going price of the vintage  piece?

Open to any other suggestions on where to go from here with the system as well. For discussion, I  live in an apartment and use it almost exclusively for vinyl. I am a musical omnivore. The front end is a Clearaudio Performance DC with Tracer tonearm and Hana SL running through a Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2. If I upgrade the amp I plan to continue to use the tube pre in the Rogue Audio integrated, for now. 

Thank you in advance for your input. Your time is much appreciated.

Shawn

theschwartz
ghdprentice
6,957 posts
 

I have owned Pass since the Threshold s500, then x350 up until fairly recently. I can say unhesitatingly, contemporary Pass amps are tremendously better than the ancient Threshold. The character of the Threshold or his newer xSeries are similar… emphasizing power over finesse. XA is more about finesse over massive power.

So, given what you have, your interests and where you are, I would definitely recommend an XA30.x. This will be in line with a more musical fleshed out tone. Sounds like a good match for you.

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,670 posts
 

Another vote for getting the XA30.8. Using the Sphinx as a preamp is doable, but won’t you be running the output section as well? I’m pretty sure it will be okay being as it’s a class d output, but I’d check with Rouge Audio and make sure you won’t muck up something by running it without a load ( speakers ).

Anyway, if you like it, great, you have a system you like and if not, you should be able to sell the V3 and get a different preamp.

All the best.

charles7
104 posts
 

My FirstWatt F8 is terrific, driven by a tube preamp. Your Devore Gibbon 3xl speakers have a high enough sensitivity that the F8 can drive them just fine.

 

wturkey's avatar
wturkey
768 posts
 

May theschwartz be with you….

jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 

op

don't rule out the xa25 either, it is excellent, plenty of power for your gibbons

kind of a lovely mid ground between x and xa series sound...

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