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Sim W-5 vs Pass X250 / X350 with Dyn C-4

Has anyone used a Pass Labs X250 or X350 with the Confidence series of Dynaudio speakers?

I currently have a Simaudio W-5 driving my C4's. On occasion with 2-channel music, where I run the speakers full range, it seems to possibly run just a tad short of punch and I was considering a more powerful amplifier and was looking at the Pass Lab X250 or X350. For movies I have never noticed any shortness of punch, but for movies I run the C-4's crossed over at 40 Hz and the lower end routed to the sub.

I would love to move to the Simaudio W-8 or a pair of W-6, but the cost, even for a used unit, is beyond what I want to pay.

The thing I like is the Simaudio W-5 mates well with my Simaudio Titan that is driving the center speaker (Confidence Center) for movies and I might not get that match with a Pass Labs unit. It also drives the surrounds and rears.

Any thoughts or experience on the mattter would be beneficial to my decision.

Current System:
Preamp/processor - Anthem Statement D2v
CD Player - Arcam CD192
DVD Player - Denon 5900
Preamp/Amp Interconnects - Balanced - Canare
Speaker Wire - Kimber 8TC for fronts
cyclonemike
pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,205 posts
 
FrankC - tell your friend with C4's to add some GIK (or comparable) room treatments to tame the bass and reflections. I was about to give up on my C4's, then added 8 GIK 244 panels to my room and it turned the C4's into keepers. Adding room treatments was the best / most cost effective thing I've done since getting into this addictive hobby. Adding a tubed preamp with NOS tubes also paid nice dividends, but not to the same extent as adding the room treatments.
cyclonemike OP
3 posts
 
I am going to give the X-350 a try. I know that from reviews, etc. that I may be missing the fluidity of the X-350.5 midrange, but for now it is out of the range I want to spend. Maybe if the year goes well and there is a nice bonus at the end, then maybe I can move up....

I am going to wait to sell the W-5 so I can do some comparisons.

Thanks for the input.

Mike
keithr
1,306 posts
 
I've never understood the Sim/Dyn relationship---its just a marketing relationship to these ears.

Pass 250.5 was beautiful with my C1s. BAT ss would also work well.

Dyns don't like bipolar amps in my view, although i would like to try Krell on them and think that is the only one that could work.
missioncoonery
1,214 posts
 
IMO I would go with the X250.5 before I would buy an older 350..I have C4s and the 250.5 mates wonderfully..Im running a MC 402 at the moment but Pass is back in the headlights for me
pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,205 posts
 
Keithr - I have to agree with you on the Sim / Dyn relationship. My system is very warm (Jade Hybrid IC's, NOS tubed preamp, tubes in both of my sources), but it was not enough warmth to tame the Sim's brightness. The Sim did some things well... just not enough for me to keep them.

Agree with Missioncoonery on getting the more current Pass 250.5, rather than the older Pass 350. Would also love to hear the Plinius SA-250 MkIV with C4's, based upon my positive experience with the SA-250's little brother, the SA-102.

I've also heard the Dyn C2's with a Krell amp... I think it was from the FPB series. Sounded very dynamic & transparent with a huge sound stage. Really kinda surprised by how good it sounded, based upon all of the Krell bashing I've read on this board.

In my experience, both Plinius and Krell where better matches than Sim with the Dyn Confidence series... YMMV.
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