Three Cheers for Pass Labs


We all have complaints about customer service now and then, and when we do, we don't hesitate to voice our complaints. I have a positive experience that I would like to relay to Audiogon members. Last November, I bought a Pass Labs X250.5 amplifier from a fellow Audiogon member. When I received the amp, I used it for 4 days, and I was surprised and disappointed that the sound was not nearly as good as I was expecting. I chalked it up to a difference in tastes, and put it away, intending to sell it after the holidays. I did sell it to another member 2 weeks ago, and he too noticed that it did not sound good. He had long experience however with Threshold amps, and knew that it should sound better. He called Pass, and they guided himm through a simple test that showed that the bias settings were way out of whack. The buyer no longer wanted the amp and I refunded his money. However, I was told by Nelson and Kent at Pass Labs that if I shipped it to them, they would repair it at no charge. I want to add that the amp is out of warranty. I think that this is exceptional customer service, and I want everyone to know. I have had a similar experience with McIntosh, and I want to give a vote of support to all manufactureres who treat their customers in this way. Thanks!
128x128roxy54
Roxy54, that's sad, but let's hope that there were reasons that prevented the former owner to respond to you.
But if you never get anything back from him, I think that it's pretty safe to think that we have the answer, which would be that the most likely cause of the amplifier bias being out is the fact that previous owner had tempered with the amplifier settings for some reason. Oh well......

But on the positive side, I am pretty sure you will love the amplifier after it comes back to you from Pass.
It really is a stunning amplifier, both sonically and visually.

Best of luck!
I too wish to chime in on the remarkable service that Pass Labs gives to its customers. I had bought a Pass Labs X350.5 recently and noticed after some use that the power cord was hot to the touch and concluded that the cord was not the correct one.

I had recently e-mailed Pass Labs and alerted them to my situation. A gentlemen named Desmond answered my e-mail and after asking me the serial number and address, sent me a free power cord at no expense to me at all!

Kudos to Desmond and Nelson Pass for exemplary customer service and I would recommend their products (and no I am not connected to Pass Labs in any way!)
Based on build quality, sound quality, customer service, and the design chops coming from Pass Labs I can't really imagine anyone buying an SS amp without considering a Pass amp; other than pricing which can get quite high, especially for their Class A designs. If there is a better sounding SS amp than their XA30.5, I have not heard it.
Yes, I considered them. Heard them on Apogee's. Wasn't blown away. Sounded ok but I've heard better. Nothing really stood out as exceptional. Also the volume was scratchy when adjusted. Still I'd like to hear some more because they garner so many good reviews. And also what I've ready about the customer service above endears them.
I own a Pass Labs X0.2, an XVR-1-3 crossover, an Xono phono, a pair of Aleph 2s, and a Threshold S/550-e. Not only do they sound great and are well-build; they're all classics or destined to become so.

When I was considering the crossover purchase I had several e-mail exchanges with Kent at Pass - always very helpful, informative & patient. Mark at Reno is a class act all the way.

Nelson's in a league by himself. I know of no one in the audio community who does more for this hobby than him. Go over to diyAudio.com where he's constantly helping out others with their projects sharing circuit advice & design experience selflessly. He doesn't have to do this. In an audio world that's got more than it's share of paranoid, egocentric designers (sometimes with good reason!), he's clearly in it for the love of it.

I'll continue to buy Pass Labs equipment in the future & this is one of the reasons why.