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
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,892 posts
 

@4krowme Hey not trying to prove anything here. Just found your comparison and comments odd and baseless. And they still are. Have a nice day. 

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jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 

@swede58 

Thanks, I’m hesitating between a Pass XP22/X260.8 or X350.8 combo or the Gryphon Diablo 300.

i don't know the size of your room, how loud you want to play your maggies

those are very powerful options you are considering... for my application they are clearly overkill

i also prefer the slightly better (to me) tone, delicacy and saturation of pass' class a amps - of course, very high power xa versions of those are also made... but they are expensive, generate a lot of heat, use alot of power...

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marco1's avatar
marco1
518 posts
 

The 400a was a nice amp in its day.  I owned one for several years.  The newer Pass stuff (I've owned several) sounds much better.  Unless the 400 has been rebuilt, expect problems.  Mine was in the shop more often than not before I finally sold it.  Unless you live close to someone who will repair it, I'd stay away. Your wallet and back will appreciate it. 

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