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Upgrade bug has hit, interested in Pass Labs Amps

So as I am feeling the upgrade bug, I have been looking into upgrading my amp. Currently I have Bel Canto Ref1000s and I feel that the class D amps are not giving me the quality of sound that I would like to receive, lacking fullness and realistic qualities. So I have been looking into Pass Labs X250 and X250.5 amps, from what I have read these are very good amps and should be a considerable upgrade from my ref1000s???? Also what is the difference in the X250 and the X250.5? Is it worth the extra 1000-1500 that I have seen them for on here?
Also any other SS amps in this price range give or take a few dollars that are recommended?
Thanks
Tim
tmesselt
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>01-10-09: Arbuckle
I totally disagree about speakers first<<

That's a shame because you're dead wrong.

Speakers first followed by an amp that matches them.

It's that simple.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
the recording matters more than anything else.

if the recording is done poorly, the speakers will only reproduce a poor recording.

a master analog tape iswith a mediocre stereo system is prefereable to a poor recording with the best components.
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
My experience has been that the pre-amp has had more of an impact on sound quality than the of the amp. But as far as Pass Labs amps go they are excellent and I would suggest the X.5 series over the X series and the XA is better still assuming speakers synergy.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Audiofeil and Soix are correct. Back on topic, I owned the X-150 and upgraded to the X-600. That was a long time ago. I have never looked back on my evolutionary journey through class D.
kiwi_1282001
312 posts
 
Settle your loudspeakers first, then consider what to do with your amplification. If you settle on some higher efficency speakers then you frankly don't need gobs of amplifier power.

Regarding the BC 1000, i had some Ref II's driving difficult planar speakers and they work a treat. Would Pass Lab's also have worked? Sure, but the X350.5 is not exactly inexpensive, neither is it light, nor is compact and cheap to run.
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