Hi Vince,
My S250 does have the Sonicap bypass caps and the latest modules. And yes, I did buy an NOS DAC or two, and really find them extremely musical (MHDT Labs Havana, recently replaced by a Wavelength Cosecant V3).
I don't think the Pass amplifier was designed to run extremely low impedance loads like your Apogees, so it would not be an ideal fit. I think the H2O S250 has about the most well controlled bass I've ever heard from any amp in my system. Still, my speakers are not nearly as difficult to drive as yours, and in my system the Pass X250.5 has more life and presence in the midrange / lower treble, and a more expansive sound stage than the H20 amplifier. I still enjoy the H20 amp in my bedroom system, but I think the strengths of the H2O amp probably shine with more difficult loads.
The Fire is, without a doubt, the finest preamplifier I've had in my system. It mates beautifully with the Pass X250.5 (except for the problem of too much overall gain). I have compared it extensively with some very good preamps from Cary, Audio Research Corp, and BAT. While I probably could have lived happily ever after with the Cary, the Fire is less colored, reaches deeper in the low bass regions, and throws such beautiful midrange and high frequencies that its hard to believe its a solid state preamp. It is the most transparent yet engaging preamp I have come across. As I write this, I am listening to a recording that I have always loved for its composition and melody, but has traditionally been a little harsh through even some very pricey preamps. It sounds great through the Fire.
I still haven't received the Pass preamp yet, so I can't comment on a comparison. It should be coming tomorrow evening. I would think the Pass preamp will have the advantage of being the latest of a design specifically mated to the same company's latest series of amps. However, the Fire seems to offer so much more for the same amount of money. I would be kind of surprised if the Pass can stand up to the Fire's power supply and regulation. Still, I wouldn't have to be making this comparison if Henry could do something about the overall gain of the Fire. I won't trade sound quality for convenience, but I'll see in a couple of days.
Alan
My S250 does have the Sonicap bypass caps and the latest modules. And yes, I did buy an NOS DAC or two, and really find them extremely musical (MHDT Labs Havana, recently replaced by a Wavelength Cosecant V3).
I don't think the Pass amplifier was designed to run extremely low impedance loads like your Apogees, so it would not be an ideal fit. I think the H2O S250 has about the most well controlled bass I've ever heard from any amp in my system. Still, my speakers are not nearly as difficult to drive as yours, and in my system the Pass X250.5 has more life and presence in the midrange / lower treble, and a more expansive sound stage than the H20 amplifier. I still enjoy the H20 amp in my bedroom system, but I think the strengths of the H2O amp probably shine with more difficult loads.
The Fire is, without a doubt, the finest preamplifier I've had in my system. It mates beautifully with the Pass X250.5 (except for the problem of too much overall gain). I have compared it extensively with some very good preamps from Cary, Audio Research Corp, and BAT. While I probably could have lived happily ever after with the Cary, the Fire is less colored, reaches deeper in the low bass regions, and throws such beautiful midrange and high frequencies that its hard to believe its a solid state preamp. It is the most transparent yet engaging preamp I have come across. As I write this, I am listening to a recording that I have always loved for its composition and melody, but has traditionally been a little harsh through even some very pricey preamps. It sounds great through the Fire.
I still haven't received the Pass preamp yet, so I can't comment on a comparison. It should be coming tomorrow evening. I would think the Pass preamp will have the advantage of being the latest of a design specifically mated to the same company's latest series of amps. However, the Fire seems to offer so much more for the same amount of money. I would be kind of surprised if the Pass can stand up to the Fire's power supply and regulation. Still, I wouldn't have to be making this comparison if Henry could do something about the overall gain of the Fire. I won't trade sound quality for convenience, but I'll see in a couple of days.
Alan