Yamaha ns 5000

@yyzsantabarbara I can't really say since mine were demo models and also I moved to 2 different listening rooms over the 3 years of ownership.

What I can say is for me and my ears the pass + ns5000 combination is becoming too fatiguing (X350.8). I don't blame the ns5000 I blame myself for craving a warmer, richer sound.

So I am sampling different amps and pres right now. So far the amp that impresses me the most in terms of the huge stage and warm tone is the CJ LP70S (I had lp140ms also).

I am in the process of probably buying a CJ pre to go with it and then I think im going to have some serious magic on tap.

I do have the willsenton r800i right now and I actually like it more than the pass x350.8 but i think i still want warmer and also the CJ soundstage is like 2x the size of pass or r800i. The problem is CJ doesn't have the clarity of the former too. So I have some work to do yet to dial things in.

@smodtactical That is the opposite issue I am having. I am thinking I want a bit less warmth than the CODA #16 with the NS5000. I love the #16 and the full range sound with the NS5000 is excellent. My issue is that I use the top end of the Benchmark AHB2 as my reference. Though, I do not think even mono AHB2 will sound as good overall as the #16. I may get a pair of AHB2’s for a home trial. Another amp is SimAudio that should work but at a higher cost.

I moved the #16 to my office today with the Magenpan LRS+ and that is a great combo. I think the LRS+ is a bit brighter than the NS5000 so it seems to be a perfect fit with the Class A #16. I think I will be using the LRS+ and #16 together going forward.

Your comments about fatigue with the PASS makes me wonder if your issue is a room acoustics problem. Why not measure your room acoustics and see if that is the cause of your fatigue.

Mitch Barnett from Digital Room Correction (DRC) Calibration - Accurate Sound can help you with your room acoustics. You do not have to use his software-based solution, you could choose physical room panels instead. However, getting a professional to help you sort the room out was the best move I made in my small office. He charges $700 for the measurements and the resulting convolution filters made for your speakers and room.

If you try this out for a month or so you can see if you still get the fatigue. If not, then it is not the gear. You can save a lot of money by fixing the room and not chasing gear. You can then fix the room with panels or Mitch’s filter or a combo of both. I use panels only in my office.

I think its not a room issue you know why, I put my headphones on my pass amp it made them sound bright as well... it gave them the same fatiguing character. I am sure the x350.8 is warm relative to a lot of SS amps but im just really sensitive to treble energy and i need it way relaxed so I can sink into the music.

Would be cool to try coda 1 day.

The amp you should try is the KRELL Duo 300XD. There is a local dealer selling a used one for $6250. I owned the 175XD at one time. The model number represents the number of possible watts in Class A. So, the 300XD is 300 watts and the 175XD is 175 watts.  It is the smoothest and least fatiguing amp I have ever heard (and owned). It is somewhat like the CODA #16, but smoother.

Now that I have moved my CODA #16 with the LRS+ I am debating whether I should get the KRELL Duo 300XD or a pair of Benchmark AHB2 mono. Two rather different sounding amps.

Wanted to share that yesterday I paired the Doge 8 with the CJ LP 70S. This was the best sound i’ve heard from the NS5k.

Unbelievably huge expansive soundstage. The music completely detaches from the speakers and they disappear. Midrange projects far forward with utmost texture and intoxicating tone. I actually liked the doge 8 in the chain more than moreplay because it seemed the doge 8 helped to open up the stage more and improve see through clarity.

I was especially impressed with bass which became even more weighty, punchy and again seemed to project around my listening position in a way ive never heard before (including out of my big SS pass x350.8). Oh and 1 final point this was with KT120 tubes in the LP70S since I think one of the 6550 tubes I had popped. I think the 6550 sounds even warmer and bigger but the KT120 controls the bass and provides more transparency. Truly exceptional combination!