Most shops that do offer home demonstration will do so only with customers they are familiar and can trust. They will help you load it in your car, but beyond that, it would be a big imposition to expect them to set up in your home on the hope of a sale. The crediting to your purchase price the fee for the demonstration is what I expected. The question is whether $300 is reasonable. If they give you enough time to seriously audition the amp, I think it is reasonable. Ideally, they would leave it for a few days and return to pick it up.
Pass makes some very nice sounding amps, and the smaller amp you are considering will probably sound very similar to the higher powered amp if your speakers are efficient and the two amps have similar topology and are comparable in quality level. I’ve even heard comparisons where the lower-powered amp by a particular manufacturer sounded better than its more powerful sibling.
Quandary
I’m really happy with my system. However when a technician, who is also a salesman, came to my house for a stereo repair he complimented my set but said it would sound a lot better if I switched out my Benchmark AHB2 amp (which I think is great) for a Pass 30 wpc class AB amp. He offered to let me hear that amp in my system so that I could decide for myself (at a fee of $300.) The only problem is he doesn’t have the 30 watt amp in stock but would have to demo the Pass sound with 60 watt monoblocks. He assured me that with my very efficient GoldenEar Triton 1 speakers the 30 watt amp will almost have the the same quality.
Do you think I can honestly judge how the smaller amp will actually sound? Or should I cancel the demonstration (and save$300?)
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@rvpiano not talking you into this deal. But the XA30.8 is a great amp and with your tube preamp you will have fatigue free listening. If you can get a hand setting it up, buy used. The XA25 should be great as well. I respect benchmark but am not a fan of their house sound. It’s a personal choice. The XA30.8 operating temperature is about 104-107 degrees Fahrenheit. If heat is a consideration. Other than that I can’t think of any other drawbacks. Don’t worry about power cords. Whatever you’re using on benchmark should port over just fine. If not then the stock cable will hold you over as well.
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